More sheep than people
In the 1980s New Zealand’s were outnumbered by sheep 22 to one. But that figures has altered drastically and today it is just five to one; the lowest since records began in the late 1850s.
In the 1980s New Zealand’s were outnumbered by sheep 22 to one. But that figures has altered drastically and today it is just five to one; the lowest since records began in the late 1850s.
The drop in global wool prices and increasing number of farmers selling up or converting to forestry is to blame for the reduction in sheep flocks. The national flock was estimated at 25.3m in 2022, a 2% drop or 400,000 less than the year before.
But in Scotland, new season lamb prices have at least made a firm start to the season. Scottish marts prices were making around 350p/kg lwt in mid-May, up about 10% on the year, and by around 25% on the five-year average.
Although Scotland’s total flock may be a little more modest than New Zealand’s at just over 6.5 million. The Borders accounts for 1.15m or 17% of this total which means it can boast a figure of approximately eight sheep to every person.
But if you really want to be outnumbered by sheep though, you could move to the Falkland Islands where there are 200 sheep to every person.
