With a herd of 25.8 million heads of goats and sheep, Brazil intends to expand the raising of these animals so as to supply the growing domestic demand.
This statement was made by Ricardo Falcão, president of the Goat and Sheep Productive Chain Sector Chamber, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.
Brazil currently produces 38,000 tons of goat meat and 71,000 tons of sheep. The Sector Chamber is currently meeting producers from all around the country to discuss the National Plan for Goat and Sheep Sanitation.
According to Falcão, the Northeast of Brazil has 94% of the country goat herd and 53% of the sheep herds. The raising of these animals has, however, been stagnated for 20 years, he explained.
To the president of the chamber, the challenge is establishing conditions for new breeders interested in entering the market.
“We must organize our entire productive chain so that the expansion is within standards and may be solid, reducing the possibility of a number of breeders giving up in the middle of the way.”
In the Northeast, sheep and goats raising is the main economic activity for many families.
“Small farmers in the region have been living off this activity as most have small animals that can survive droughts better and have greater liquidity than cattle herds.”
ABr, Anba