Mallorca: all 15 Balearic livestock breeds under threat

Mallorca’s black pig is among 15 Balearic livestock breeds classed as threatened: breeders and researchers meet in Palma, Mallorca, on Thursday, 29 October 2026, to discuss how to protect them. The gathering runs until Saturday at the University of the Balearic Islands campus in Palma, according to the Balearic Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment.

More breeds than the familiar names

The black Mallorcan pig, Mallorcan sheep and Menorcan cow are among the better-known breeds. But the islands have 33 recognised animal populations in all: 15 livestock breeds, five dog breeds and 13 other breed groups.

Georgina Brunet, the Balearic director general for agriculture, livestock and rural development, says the islands’ different conditions and generations of farmers selecting animals helped shape that variety. When Spain’s first official livestock-breed catalogue appeared in 1979, it listed just three breeds from the Balearics. Breeders, researchers and authorities have since identified more populations and developed breeding programmes. Brunet says the Mallorcan sheep has shown a favourable trend.

A gene bank cannot replace farmers

The Balearic Institute for Agri-Food and Fisheries Research and Training holds genetic material from 12 breeds and one breed group in its gene bank. It has complete collections for five of them. The stored material backs up conservation work on farms; it does not replace animals being bred there.

Brunet says keeping the breeds depends on farmers being able to continue raising them. That also means making farms financially viable and finding value for their products. On Saturday, the congress turns to quality certification, uses for wool and new ways for producers to sell what they make.

Topics: Nature & wildlife · Agriculture · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com