A small group of producers managed to recover the Algarve breed of cattle, which was considered extinct, and are now committed to increasing the number of these animals so that they can then be sold.
By Fernando Paula Brito (text) and Luís Forra (photos), from the Lusa agency
“What we intend to do is create a niche of animals in a pure line that justifies, then, starting to sell”, producer Afonso Nascimento, who is also the president of the Algarve Cattle Breeders Association (ASCAL), told the Lusa agency.
In the 1950s there were more than 20,000 heads of Algarve cattle, but the mechanization of agriculture, the introduction of exotic breeds and the progressive abandonment of the fields reduced their number, and this breed was even considered extinct.
In 2005, in a joint effort by ASCAL, the then Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP) of the Algarve and the General Directorate of Veterinary, a study was carried out that allowed the recovery of the breed to begin.
“It is a breed that was completely on the verge of extinction. In 2019-2020, we had a very small workforce and it turns out that all the investment was made to rehabilitate this breed that was completely dead, it was missing”, stated Afonso Nascimento.
According to figures from , which has been responsible for the Genealogical Book of the Algarve Breed of cattle since 2005, the animals considered purebred of this breed went from five in 2018 to 27 in 2024 and, subsequently, to 47 in 2025.
The Genealogical Book of the Algarve Cattle Breed is the official record of identification and zootechnical control of animals of this breed.
“What led us to invest in this breed is, purely and simply, just fun, the taste, and not letting what was there of tradition and culture itself die here in the Algarve and in the municipality of Vila do Bispo”, continues the person in charge.
There are at least five producers who are interested in the development of this breed, with farms located in the municipalities of Vila do Bispo, Lagos, Portimão, Silves and Tavira, in the district of Faro.
One of the precursors of this movement to recover the Algarve breed is António Figueiras, who continues trying to develop the production of these animals.
“The interest is that my father also had Algarve cows, he even had breeding bulls, and it was something that was recorded and that after all these years I had some conditions to have the animals. And that’s it, I’ve been moving forward with this”, said the producer.
António Figueiras believes that animals of this breed may, in the future, have sufficient economic value to be sold, like other animals, in normal distribution channels.
“I think so. If things evolve, as they are evolving in the meat issue, which later, as long as there are enough centers to collect animals for slaughter and distribution, I think it could be a good business”, he stated.
Despite his age, the producer is confident in the future of the investment made so far: “I will continue as long as I can, but if I can’t, someone will also be left to move forward with this”, he said.
Around 10 years ago, Antônio Figueiras had two cattle of this breed and currently has around 20 animals, including males, females and calves.
“I like this breed because it is an Algarve breed, a breed that my father had, a lot of people had, there were hundreds and thousands of animals like this in the Algarve, and for them to disappear like that from one moment to the next, I think it is sad”, said António Figueiras.
Savoring the Algarve wants to value products from the Algarve cattle breed
An entity that has provided support to producers of the Algarve cattle breed is the Algarve Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), which created the Saborear o Algarve brand, the next step in trying to value products related to these animals.
“There are still very few animals. We are still in a multiplication phase. The initial objective now is to increase the number of livestock, later we will try to increase this value, giving more value to the meat products that will leave here”, said João Santana, head of the CCDR’s Technical Support and Proximity division.
The Algarve breed is an indigenous cattle breed from the south of Portugal, traditionally adapted to the hot and dry climate of the Algarve and extensive grazing systems, being considered a rustic breed with dual aptitude (meat and work).
“Yes, for now they are animals that are very adapted to our climate, to this region. They are animals that are not very demanding in terms of food, which have a much greater capacity for adaptation than exotic breeds and are much less demanding in terms of food”, said the CCDR technician.
For this entity, the breed has “a unique genetic heritage in the world” and there are reasons to continue supporting producers who are interested in these cattle, although the planned aid is considered scarce by them.
Algarve cattle breeders can apply for annual financial support to maintain the breed’s herd, encouraging the conservation of the native genetic heritage.
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