France livestock population: non-milk ewes and ewe-lambs
France livestock population: non-milk ewes and ewe-lambs stood at 3,410.2 thousand heads in 2025, according to Eurostat – crop production in EU standard humidity (apro_cpsh1), French agricultural statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Agriculture: annual production and accounts table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1992 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Agriculture: annual production and accounts table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep | 6,695.6 | 6,607 | 6,802 | 6,746 | 7,073 | 6,998.71 | 7,105 | 7,166 | 6,877 | 7,157 | |
| Ewes and ewe-lambs put to the ram | 4,912.24 | 4,862 | 4,970 | 4,985 | 5,196 | 5,124.91 | 5,329 | 5,405 | 5,213 | 5,355 | |
| Non-milk ewes and ewe-lambs put to the ram | 3,410.2 | 3,429 | 3,475 | 3,437 | 3,621 | 3,602.8 | 3,668 | 3,796 | 3,638 | 3,779 |
Understanding france livestock population: non-milk ewes and ewe-lambs
The metric quantifies female sheep that have been exposed to the ram at least once and are maintained primarily for purposes other than commercial milk production, capturing animals destined principally for meat markets. Unlike dairy ewes, this group excludes animals whose primary yield is milk for human consumption or dairy processing. The enumeration isolates breeding females intended to maintain or expand the meat-producing flock.
Analysts evaluating these figures must consider seasonal mating schedules and the timing of the annual livestock census, which can miss lambs that have not yet reached breeding age. Revisions often occur when slaughterhouse records and animal movement logs are reconciled with farmer surveys. Comparing this sub-category against total sheep numbers reveals the proportion of the flock dedicated to meat production rather than general herd maintenance or wool. Adjustments to farm classification criteria over time can create breaks in the historical series.
Frequently asked questions
- What distinguishes non-milk ewes from dairy ewes in the census?
- Non-milk ewes are managed primarily for meat production rather than for harvesting milk for dairy use.
- When are ewes and ewe-lambs typically counted in this series?
- Enumeration is conducted annually, aligning with national livestock census schedules and administrative farm declarations.
- How do slaughter rates affect the interpretation of this series?
- Shifts in culling and slaughter schedules directly alter the size of the breeding female inventory recorded from year to year.