The Economic and Social Plan (PESOE 2024) points to significant growth in animal production this year, driven by disease prevention and control measures, health and reproductive management.
The PESOE 2024 states that overall animal production is estimated at 203,221 tonnes, an increase of 8% compared to 2023 (187,309 tonnes), distributed 5% for cattle, 4% for pigs, 6% for small ruminants and 8% for poultry.
In addition, the document projects an 8 per cent growth in meat production, with an emphasis on pigs (15 per cent) and sheep (16 per cent). However, the production of fresh milk per litre is expected to fall significantly by 34%, totalling 2.3 million litres in 2024, compared to 3.6 million litres in 2023.
In the fishing sector, the document forecasts a 4% increase in production compared to 2023, totalling 508,804 tonnes, with 19,700 tonnes coming from commercial fishing, 479,000 tonnes from artisanal fishing and 9,700 tonnes from aquaculture. The government emphasises the importance of this growth in ensuring the population’s food and nutritional security, with a per capita consumption target of 21.7 kilograms by the end of the five-year period.
Despite this increase in production, exports of fisheries and aquaculture products for 2024 are forecast at around 10,273 tonnes, representing a 25% reduction compared to 2023. The government attributes this reduction to factors such as restrictions on access to the European market, global market conditions and lower demand for licences for production units.
To reverse this trend, the government is strengthening the control of catches, stepping up inspections during the closed season and in strategic locations, encouraging operators to seek out new markets and diversify production, as well as improving the fish value chain and adhering to the licensing of the activity.
Finally, PESOE 2024 foresees an increase in exports of aquaculture products, lobster and live crab from artisanal fisheries, with an estimated revenue of around 60.9 million dollars.
