France livestock population: other sheep
France livestock population: other sheep stood at 1,783.36 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 1991 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 | |
| Other sheep | 1,783.36 | 1,745 | 1,832 | 1,761 | 1,877 | 1,873.8 | 1,776 | 1,762 | 1,664 | 1,802 | |
| 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 |
Understanding france livestock population: other sheep
This measure isolates all ovine animals on farms that do not fit into the defined breeding ewe, ram, or specialized replacement categories, capturing residual segments of the flock such as wethers and younger growing lambs. It complements targeted demographic subsets by sweeping up the remaining sheep population not classified under core productive functions. The count reflects animals at various stages of rearing, feeding, or market preparation.
When reviewing these figures, account for the high seasonal volatility driven by lambing peaks and subsequent marketing or slaughter windows. Revisions are common because young animals are frequently traded or slaughtered before administrative registers capture their final status. Comparing this series with breeding stock indicators highlights the pipeline of animals moving toward market readiness. Breaks in continuity can arise from changes in how statistical agencies categorize young or unclassified livestock categories across census rounds.
Frequently asked questions
- Which animals fall under the category of other sheep?
- This category includes all sheep that are not classified as breeding ewes, rams, or specific dairy cohorts, such as growing lambs and wethers.
- Why is this series subject to seasonal fluctuations?
- The count varies significantly depending on annual lambing seasons and the timing of livestock sales for slaughter.
- How do early estimates differ from final figures for this series?
- Initial counts are adjusted as complete data on animal movements and farm inventories become available.