The livestock sector in Alicante has not recovered. Last year, the province lost a total of 22,563 animals, marking a 12.5 percent drop from the previous year. High prices for forage and feeds, alongside a drought that forces farmers to feed animals inside sheds due to scarce pastures, are the main drivers behind this sharp decline. A lack of generational succession compounds the problem, contributing to a long-standing downward trend that has erased 94,092 animals over the last two decades.
The provincial cattle census continues to shrink. Data published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food show that livestock holdings closed 2023 with 169,385 animals, far below the 191,948 recorded the year before. The biggest retreat occurred in the pig subsector, which dropped by 10,444 head to 58,543. Ovine stock fell by 7,685 to 73,777, and caprine stock declined by 4,823 to 27,164. The only sector to edge up was bovine, increasing by 389 head to reach a total of 9,901.
This downturn neatly reflects the negative dynamic that has characterized the provincial farming activity for some time. Twenty years ago, the sector counted 263,477 animals across the board, including 128,775 sheep, 76,202 pigs, 38,432 goats, and 20,068 cows. The current figures highlight which animals have suffered the steepest declines and how the overall herd has contracted.
These statistics underline a long-term decline in the sector, although various factors have intermittently undermined profitability. In the most recent year, the heavy costs of animal feed have continued to erode farm earnings, adding pressure to an already fragile balance sheet for many holdings.
Juan Luis Gimeno, owner of a goat farm in Monóvar and head of the sector group at Asaja Alicante, notes that electricity costs have fallen, but feed prices remain sky high. He points out that feed costs rose from about 230 euros per tonne to 300 euros, and alfalfa climbed from about 180 euros to 400. “Despite higher input costs, milk prices have not doubled,” he laments.
Complicating matters, drought conditions have forced farmers to rely more on purchased feeds and stored forage. “Rainfall has been almost non-existent, meaning there are practically no pastures. Animals must be fed indoors, which increases expenses,” Gimeno adds.
Similarly, Julián Huertas, a goat farmer in Almoradí, highlights the perceived inefficiencies in the food chain law. He explains that costs keep rising while the price paid for products does not keep pace. He calls on authorities to place more emphasis on the primary sector, which remains essential; otherwise, farms might be operating at a loss.
Gimeno and Huertas also point to another major problem: the lack of generational renewal. “This is a demanding profession that requires constant vigilance every day. If profitability remains elusive, it is hardly surprising that younger people are reluctant to take over the farms,” Gimeno says.
La Unió also stresses the difficult period the sector is going through, which translates into fewer animals on the farms. The organization has long advocated for subsidies for producers and the establishment of a cost-of-production reference system within the mandatory agro-food contracts under the food-chain law to improve pricing transparency and fairness.
Both Asaja and La Unió criticize increasingly bureaucratic procedures for accessing CAP subsidies and the relatively scant compensation that results. These issues, they argue, hamper farmers’ ability to stabilize income and plan for the future.
In summary, the Alicante livestock landscape shows a sector under pressure from input costs, drought, and aging farmer populations. While some indicators reflect isolated improvements in certain subsectors, the overall trend points toward continued consolidation unless policy measures and market conditions align to support farmers’ profitability and encourage new entrants to the industry.
Attribution note: This synthesis reflects publicly reported statistics and stakeholder perspectives across Alicante’s livestock sector. Data and quotes are attributed to relevant agricultural authorities and industry representatives as summarized from official sources and statements conducted throughout the period described.