Drought, feed shortage raise livestock breeders’ concerns

Livestock in northern and eastern Syria is facing the threat of extinction due to the drought that has hit the region since last year, causing a shortage of fodder.

The significant increase in the value of the US dollar against the Syrian pound has led to an increase in feed prices, forcing animal breeders to sell their livestock at low prices.

The price of one head of sheep now costs 150-200 thousand Syrian pounds SYP (about USD 50), after its price last year was SYP 700 thousand (about USD 200), according to a sheep breeder.

Meanwhile, veterinary clinics say that breeders’ demand for medicines, vaccines, and vitamins decreased, due to poor financial capacity.

Authorities in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria are unable to provide sufficient and necessary support to the livestock sector.