Portugal’s Serra da Estrela faces farming collapse as livestock numbers halve
Farmers in Portugal’s Serra da Estrela region are facing growing challenges as livestock numbers drop sharply. Over the past decade, the area has lost nearly half its animals, falling from around 120,000 to just 60,000 today. Industry leaders now warn that without urgent action, the region’s agricultural future could be at risk.
The decline in livestock has been driven by repeated crises in recent years. Outbreaks of bluetongue disease have hit herds hard, while devastating wildfires have destroyed grazing land. These pressures have left many shepherds struggling to maintain their flocks.
The National Association of Livestock Producers has called for immediate financial support from the government. They argue that without direct aid, the region’s farming economy could collapse entirely. However, any decision on funding must come from the national Ministry of Agriculture, as local councils lack the authority to act.
With animal numbers now at 60,000—less than half of what they were a decade ago—the situation is critical. The association’s demands highlight the need for central government intervention. Without targeted support, the long-term survival of Serra da Estrela’s farming communities remains uncertain.
