Small ruminant value chains in Western Balkan countries

Xhoxhi, O.; Szücs, T.;

Small ruminant value chains in Western Balkan countries

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Budapest, Hungary ;

Pages 132 p.

Author Xhoxhi, O.; Szücs, T.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Category Technical book

ISBN 978-92-5-138506-7

Full item page

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cc9178en

Synopsis (short abstract) In the past five years, the small ruminant sector in the Western Balkans has experienced a decline, most notably in Albania, where the sheep population decreased from 1.97 million to 1.48 million. Despite this setback, Albania remains the leading producer of sheep and goat milk in the region, while Serbia has achieved a remarkable 44.6 percent increase in sheep and goat meat production over the past decade.Albania's per capita consumption of mutton and goat meat stands among the highest globally at 8.68 kg/year in 2020, a stark contrast to other Western Balkans countries, where consumption ranges from 0.61 to 3.33 kg/year. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top importer of live small ruminants, whereas Serbia and Montenegro mainly import processed sheep and goat meat.The report delineates four principal market channels for small ruminant milk and three for small ruminant meat that farmers utilize for product commercialization. Albanian small ruminant farmers predominantly focus on milk production, while their counterparts in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are inclined towards meat production.The sheep and goat sector confronts several challenges, including limited labour availability, depressed prices, and insufficient investment funds. Additionally, the undeveloped wool value chain raises environmental concerns.Regarding policy preferences, sheep and goat farmers favour direct support measures, such as per head payments for milking small ruminants. Suggested interventions include replicating successful business models, fostering collective actions, and aligning strategies with the European Union's Green Deal. The report underscores the necessity for enhanced buyer–farmer integration, effective value chain governance, and strategic farm management practices to foster growth in the small ruminant sector.

Cite this content as:

Xhoxhi, O. & Szucs, T. 2024. Small ruminant value chains in Western Balkan countries. Budapest, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc9178en

Read on Google Books and buy online

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Book (stand-alone)

Small ruminant value chains in the Republic of Moldova
Opportunities, challenges and potential for growth
2025

Also available in:

No results found.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the small ruminant value chains in the Republic of Moldova, focusing on opportunities, challenges, and potential for growth. Small ruminant farming, primarily conducted by family farms, plays a vital role in rural livelihoods, contributing significantly to household income through meat, milk, and cheese production. Despite its importance, the sector faces demographic shifts, labour shortages, climate-related pressures, and declining national herd sizes.The study evaluates production dynamics, market structures, and governance across meat, milk, and cheese value chains. It highlights regional disparities, informal market practices, and limited infrastructure, particularly in dairy processing and storage. Farmers show resilience and optimism, with many planning investments in herd expansion, breed improvement, and feed technologies.Trade analysis reveals the Republic of Moldova’s competitive edge in small ruminant meat exports, especially to Near Eastern markets, though recent geopolitical events have disrupted growth. The report identifies key policy gaps and recommends strategic interventions, including improved integration into formal markets, cooperative development, infrastructure upgrades, and climate adaptation strategies.A SWOT analysis underscores the sector’s strengths in productivity and farmer commitment, while pointing to weaknesses in hygiene practices, record-keeping, and policy support. The recommendations aim to foster a more sustainable, competitive, and resilient small ruminant sector, aligning with national development goals and international standards.
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Brochure

Small ruminant value chain analysis for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2025

Also available in:

No results found.

This report explores the stability of sheep and goat farming in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which remains vital for rural livelihoods, traditional practices, and food security. Despite stable livestock numbers, the sector faces inefficiencies in production, limited market access, and informality. Low domestic consumption of small ruminant products further limits growth. The report identifies opportunities to enhance productivity through breed improvement, better farm management practices, formalized contracts, and value-added products like speciality cheeses. Aligning with European Union standards is highlighted as essential for accessing lucrative export markets. Recommendations include improving infrastructure, strengthening advisory services, supporting collective action among farmers, and leveraging IPARD funding. By addressing these challenges and capitalizing on its strengths, Bosnia and Herzegovina can foster a competitive and sustainable small ruminant sector.
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Brochure

Small ruminant value chain analysis for Serbia 2025

Also available in:

No results found.

This report examines the role of sheep and goat farming in Serbia’s rural economy and cultural heritage. Despite modest declines in livestock numbers since 2015, Serbia has demonstrated resilience with steady or increasing meat production. Challenges include labour shortages, low profitability at the farm level, limited financial resources for modernization, and restricted access to pastures. The report highlights opportunities to enhance productivity through improved genetics, better farm management practices, formalized contracts with processors, and value-added products like premium lamb cuts or cheeses. Aligning with EU standards is identified as critical for expanding into international markets. Recommendations focus on infrastructure development, capacity building through advisory services, cooperative models among farmers, and sustainability measures aligned with EU Green Deal goals. These steps can help Serbia build a competitive small ruminant sector that supports rural development while ensuring environmental sustainability.