In 2008, sheep and goat stocks in the Maltese Islands rose by an average of 4.3 and 2.2 per cent respectively over 2007, with Gozo and Comino stock rising by 6.4% and 1.2% respectively.

Sheep - In December 2008, the sheep population amounted to 12,843 heads, an increase of 4.3 per cent over 2007. Lambs registered a 29.2 per cent gain in heads, while ewe lamb and male sheep stocks rose by 36.8 and 12.5 per cent respectively. Ewes – the most important category with 73.5 per cent of all sheep – declined by 2.5 per cent over the corresponding period in 2007.

On a regional level, in December 2008, 67.5 per cent of all sheep belonged to holdings in Malta. In fact, 32.7 per cent of all sheep in Malta were found in the South Eastern District. The remaining 4,176 heads (32.5 per cent) were located in holdings in Gozo and Comino. Over the comparative period, the sheep stock increased by 3.3 per cent in Malta and 6.4 per cent in Gozo and Comino.

In 2008, 1,520 holdings were engaged in the rearing of sheep. Of all holdings 77.3 per cent had less than 10 sheep with a combined total of 4,150 heads, or 32.3 per cent of the total sheep stock. On the other hand, only 22.7 per cent of all holdings had more than 10 sheep. The latter category comprised 8,693 heads, or 67.7 per cent of the sheep stock.

Goats - In December 2008, the goat population stood at 6,361 heads, up by 2.2 per cent over 2007. All categories registered increases, ranging from 1.2 per cent for goats that have already kidded to 7.9 per cent for kids. The categories: goats mated for the first time and male goats registered increases of 2.4 per cent and 5.7 per cent respectively. Goats that have already kidded remained the dominant category, with 72.2 per cent of the goat stock.

In comparison to 2007, the goat population increased by 2.4 per cent in Malta and 1.2 per cent in Gozo and Comino. Overall, 5,072 goats (79.7 per cent) were found in Maltese holdings, of which 30.4 per cent or 1,544 heads were located in the South Eastern District. The goat population in Gozo and Comino amounted to 1,289 heads, or 20.3 per cent of the total goat stock.

In 2008, 883 holdings were engaged in the rearing of goats. Of these, 83.8 per cent had less than 10 goats. These holdings accounted for 36.8 per cent of the total stock. In contrast, 16.2 per cent of all holdings had more than 10 goats with a combined total of 4,023 goats, or 63.2 per cent of the total goat population.