In 2009, the number of sheep increased by 0.4 per cent while the goat population declined by 5.9 per cent over 2008.
Sheep
In December 2009, the sheep population amounted to 12,889 heads, an increase of 0.4 per cent over 2008. Lambs and ewe lambs registered a decline of 31.5 per cent and 35.0 per cent respectively, while ewes and male sheep added 9.6 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively over the previous year.
On a regional level
69.1 per cent of all sheep were located on holdings in Malta, with the remaining 3,980 heads (30.9 per cent) being located on holdings in Gozo and Comino. Over the comparative period, the sheep stock increased by 2.8 per cent in Malta while a decline of 4.7 per cent was registered in Gozo and Comino.
In 2009, 1,488 holdings were engaged in the rearing of sheep. Just over three quarters of all holdings rearing sheep had less than 10 heads. These accounted for a total of 3,888 sheep or 30.2 per cent of the total. On the other hand, only 24.6 per cent of all holdings had more than 10 sheep. These holdings comprised 9,001 heads, or 69.8 per cent of the stock.
Goats
At the end of 2009 the goat population stood at 5,983 heads, down by 5.9 per cent over the previous year. This was due to a decline in kids (-53.2 per cent), and goats mated for the first time (-47.3 per cent). On the other hand, goats that have already kidded and male goats rose by 5.5 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively.
In comparison to 2008, the goat population decreased by 7.2 per cent in Malta and by 0.9 per cent in Gozo and Comino. Overall, 4,706 goats (78.7 per cent) were found on Maltese holdings, of which 1,455 heads were located in the South Eastern District. The goat population in Gozo and Comino amounted to 1,277 heads, or 21.3 per cent of the total stock.
In 2009, 885 holdings were engaged in the rearing of goats. Of these, 83.4 per cent had less than 10 goats, and accounted for 38.3 per cent of the total stock. In contrast, 16.6 per cent of all holdings had more than 10 heads, with a combined total of 3,692 goats, or 61.7 per cent of the total population.