Sheep and goat production in Martinique Guadeloupe and Guyana: actual status

Abstract

The small ruminants are represented by 57.000 animals in Martinique, 30.000 in Guadeloupe and about 1.000 in Guyana, usually reared in small flocks of less than ten heads per farm. Sheep are more numerous in Martinique; they are as numerous as goats in the dependences of Guadeloupe and in Guyana. They are of hardy breed: Creole, Black-belly and St Martin, prolific and well adapted to their environment. The goats which are of Creole breed are largely predominant in Guadeloupe where they have the favor of the consumers and where they are less competed than sheep of Martinique with importations of frozen meet. The production conducted in small units, on a traditional mode, by pluriactive owners reticent to innovations, must however adapt itself to the constraints of the market and benefit of the economic and touristic rise of these overseas departments.