Turkey: Number of bovine animals up 1.6% in 2020

By Aysu Bicer

ANKARA (AA) - The total number of bovine animals in Turkey reached 18.1 million in 2020, marking a 1.6% increase compared to the previous year, the country's statistical authority said on Tuesday.

Official data also showed that the number of cattle and buffalo rose 1.6% to 18 million and 5.9% to 195,088, respectively, over the same period.

The number of sheep and goats also increased by 11.6% in 2020 year-on-year to reach 54.1 million.

The number of sheep was up by 13% to 42.1 million, while goat population saw a 7% rise reaching 12 million.

Wool, hair, mohair, and honey production increased, while honey wax and silkworm cocoon production diminished.

Wool production posted a 13% rise to 79,754 tons, hair production increased by 3.9% to 6,401 tons, and mohair production rose by 22% to 463 tons.

Honey production decreased by 4.8% in 2020 compared to the previous year to reach 104, 077 tons.

Meanwhile, the number of villages doing sericulture decreased by 1.9% in 2020 to 662 units.

The data also indicates the number of families involved in sericulture fell by 4.7% to 1, 965 units.

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