Trends in dairy sector in Baltic countries
2020
Rizojeva-Silava, A., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Jelgava (Latvia) | Zeverte-Rivza, S., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Jelgava (Latvia)
Agriculture is an important sector of the economy in the European Union (EU) and milk production is one of the most significant agricultural sectors in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania (Baltic countries). It has proven itself as the sector with stable development and future perspective and these countries are substantial producers of milk and milk products. During the last years farms involved in commercial milk production often had substantial modernization, the farmers are motivated to improve animal welfare, feeding and also genetics and hygiene standards, which leads to higher productivity and milk quality, thus providing economic gains to farmers. The purpose of this study is to analyse the dairy sector in the Baltic countries and trends in its historical development. To reach these purposes research tasks were set, which helped analyse the key elements of the dairy sector in the Baltic countries. After joining the EU, the dairy sector in all Baltic countries has changed − small dairy farms could not complete the new technological requirements and hygiene standards of milk production and left the business, thus reducing the amount of dairy cows countrywide, however, farmers generally choose cows with higher genetic potential that can produce more milk in lactation and improve the feeding and welfare conditions that lead to higher productivity. The sector is also heavily influenced by milk price changes in the key markets in the EU and the EU support. However, the dairy sector in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania is still the most important agricultural commodity production sector besides grain production.
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