Turkey Maintained Its European Leadership in Cattle and Small Cattle Population in 2025

Turkey increased its cattle and small cattle assets in 2025, widening the gap with European Union countries and strengthening its leading position in Europe.

Turkey Reached Leadership in Cattle Farming in 2025

In 2025, Turkey increased its cattle population by 4.3 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 17 million 709 thousand. With this figure, Turkey surpassed all European Union countries to take first place.

Cattle Population Declined in European Union Countries

In the European Union, the cattle population decreased by an annual rate of 0.4 percent in 2025. France ranked first within the EU with 16 million 237 thousand cattle, followed by countries such as Germany and Spain.

The Gap Between Turkey and France Widened

While Turkey's cattle population showed an increase, it declined in France. The difference in the cattle population between the two countries was 508 thousand in 2024, and it rose to approximately 1 million 472 thousand in 2025.

Turkey Quadrupled Its Closest Competitor in Sheep Population

Turkey's total small cattle population increased by 5.4 percent to reach 57 million 874 thousand. During this period, the sheep population was recorded at 46 million 689 thousand, and Turkey almost quadrupled its closest competitor, Spain, in this field.

European Union Sheep and Goat Statistics

In EU countries in 2025, the sheep population decreased by 2.2 percent and the goat population by 2.5 percent. Within the EU, Spain ranked first in sheep population and Greece in goat population.

Turkey Reached the Summit in Europe in Goat Population

Last year in Turkey, the total goat population was determined as 11 million 186 thousand with an increase of 3.4 percent. With this goat population, Turkey surpassed all EU countries and nearly quintupled its closest competitor, Greece.