The winter that Mongolians call "dzud" has had a devastating impact on agriculture. According to the National Statistical Office, over 26,300 cases of livestock deaths were recorded in several regions of the country in January.
The most severe situation is observed in the western aimags, such as Uvs, Bayan-Ulgii, and Zavkhan, as well as in the central aimag of Uvurkhangai. Overall, 11 out of 21 regions of Mongolia are experiencing serious consequences from the abnormal cold.
"Dzud" is a natural disaster characteristic of the Mongolian steppes, where due to severe frosts and large amounts of snow, animals lose access to feed, leading to their exhaustion and death from cold. This is a national-scale problem, as livestock farming constitutes a major part of the country's economy, and nearly 40% of the population depends on a nomadic lifestyle.
As of the end of 2025, the total number of livestock in Mongolia was estimated at 58.1 million heads. However, annual cold winters continue to pose a serious threat to the well-being of nomads.
