The sheep and goat dairy sector in the Mediterranean area and the Balkans: Diversity of local realities and future changes in the sector

The countries of the Mediterranean and Balkan regions share a peculiar characteristic: more than 80% of the sheep milk and 50% of the goat milk collected worldwide come from this area. Such milks are often the main production of small farms in less favoured regions where they are generally used to make specific and typical cheeses (without cow milk). These products generally have a good image and most of these countries are big cheese consumers. After a general presentation of the sector (milk production, cheese making, and consumption) and of recent changes in the four main zones of the region, the authors analyse their advantages, difficulties and stakes, underlining the similarities and differences between the Latin and Balkan countries. Three types of production and supply chain are identified according to volumes, markets, types and levels of organisation: some specific specialised sectors, micro-sectors, regionally disseminated activities without coordinated cheese units. The authors study the probable or possible changes in consumption, distribution, dairy firm strategies, production systems and political or institutional changes in the European Union. Three scenarios are proposed. The future of this sector will probably depend largely on the future standards of living, the consumption habits and the level of investment by regional public authorities as these supply chains offer good leverage for territorial development