Livestock

In 2023, the Flemish Region had 1.23 million units of cattle. This is 14,570 less than in 2022 (-1.2%).The cattle population has been on a downward trend since 2005, but increased again between 2014 and 2016. From 2017, there was another slight decline.

Over the whole period 2005-2023, the dairy herd grew by 15%, while the suckler cow herd shrank by 33%.

In 2023, there were 5 million pigs in the Flemish Region. That is 351,208 fewer than in 2022 (-6.5%). Since 2016, the total number of pigs hovered around 5.8 million, but in recent years this number has been somewhat lower. The number of sows has been declining for quite some time and was 40% lower in 2023 than in 2005.

In 2023, the Flemish Region had 46.8 million units of poultry. This is 1.3 million more than in 2022 (+2.8%).There has been a strong growth in poultry in recent years, particularly in meat chickens. Between 2005 and 2023, the number of meat chickens grew by 82%.

The number of cattle per hectare in 2023 in the Flemish Region was 0.91. West Flanders and Noorderkempen have the highest number of cattle per hectare. The cattle density in Meetjesland, Waasland, Pajottenland and North Limburg is also fairly high.

The number of pigs per hectare in 2023 in the Flemish Region was 3.7. West Flanders has the highest number of pigs per hectare. Pig livestock density in Meetjesland, Waasland, Noorderkempen and North Limburg is also fairly high.

The number of poultry per hectare was 34.4 in 2023 in the Flemish Region. West Flanders and Noorderkempen have the highest number of poultry per hectare. Poultry livestock density is also fairly high in Meetjesland, Waasland and the North of Limburg.

The number of cattle per hectare in 2023 was higher in the Flemish Region (on average 0.91 cattle per hectare) than in the Walloon Region (0.6 cattle per hectare). In Belgium, the proportion was 0.73 cattle per hectare.

Cattle density in 2023 was 0.18 cattle per hectare on average in the 27 countries of the European Union (EU27). The Netherlands had the highest density (1.0) and Finland the lowest (0.02).

The number of pigs per hectare in 2023 was higher in the Flemish Region (3.7 pigs per hectare on average) than in the Walloon Region (0.2 pigs per hectare). In Belgium, the proportion was 1.75 pigs per hectare.

Livestock density of pigs in 2023 in the 27 countries of the European Union (EU27) averaged 0.32 pigs per hectare. The Netherlands had the highest density (2.78) and Finland the lowest (0.03).