Greece feta industry threatened by sheep and goat pox outbreak

An outbreak of highly contagious sheep and goat pox is threatening Greece’s $1 billion feta industry. To contain the disease, Greek authorities have required the culling of entire herds, including healthy animals, to prevent further spread. As of April, the government has ordered the slaughter of more than 488,000 animals across more than 2,600 farms.

The outbreak has significantly impacted the livestock population, with Greece’s sheep population falling by 17% between 2024 and 2025. While the country produced 154,000 tons of feta in 2025, industry experts suggest the shortage of animals is beginning to affect the supply chain.

Farmers have reported financial hardship due to the mandatory culling and government restrictions that bar sheep from free grazing, forcing a reliance on expensive commercial feed. Although the Greek government promised compensation for culled animals and feed costs, many farmers have reported long delays in receiving these payments.