Dzud in Mongolia: Over 26,000 Head of Livestock Perish in January

The National Statistical Office (NSO) of Mongolia issued an official statement on Thursday regarding the catastrophic consequences of the harsh winter conditions known as "dzud." According to the results of January, livestock losses have risen sharply in the western and central provinces of the country, Open.kg reports.

According to statistical data, more than 26,300 head of livestock perished in the provinces of Uvs, Bayan-Ölgii, Zavkhan, and Övörkhangai. Currently, winter grazing conditions are assessed as extremely critical in at least 11 of Mongolia's 21 provinces.

"Dzud" is a natural phenomenon unique to Mongolia. It is characterized by severe frosts and heavy snowfall, preventing livestock from grazing and leading to mass mortality.

Animal husbandry is the backbone of the Mongolian economy. Today, nearly 40 percent of the country's nomadic population depends directly on this sector for their livelihood. However, prolonged harsh winters continue to bring significant financial hardship to the herding community every year.

According to the NSO, Mongolia’s total livestock population stood at 58.1 million head at the end of 2025. Experts warn that if weather conditions do not improve soon, the scale of losses could increase even further.