AZE.US
The number of livestock in Azerbaijan continues to decrease, according to the latest official data.
As of January 1 this year, the country recorded 2,435,500 head of cattle and 6,757,800 head of small ruminants, including sheep and goats. Compared to the same period last year, cattle numbers fell by more than 30,000 head, while small livestock declined by nearly 139,000.
Economist Khalid Karimli attributes the drop primarily to the shrinking availability of natural pastures. Expanding crop cultivation and increasing soil salinization have limited grazing areas. In addition, some lands are being fenced off for agricultural use, reducing access for livestock owners.
Rising costs are also putting pressure on small-scale farmers. Higher prices for hay, feed and ready-made fodder, along with growing maintenance and administrative expenses, have made animal husbandry less economically viable for many households. At the same time, rural depopulation and urban migration are reducing the number of people engaged in the sector.
Analysts warn that continued declines in domestic livestock production could increase reliance on imports. Official figures show that more than 306,000 live sheep and over 115,000 head of cattle were imported into Azerbaijan last year, indicating that local supply does not fully meet demand.
Experts say that bringing new pasturelands into circulation – particularly in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur – could help revive the sector. However, until these areas are fully integrated into the agricultural economy, the domestic livestock industry is likely to remain under pressure.