Organic in the Baltic States
Author: Gatis Caics and Inca axis
Source: EkoConnect
Despite the similarities in the political situation, history and other factors, there are some differences in the production and processing of organic products and their market in the three neighboring Baltic countries.
The proportion of fully Shifted organically farmed area in the total agricultural area is 5.2% in Lithuania, 9.2% in Latvia and 12.8% in Estonia (2010), 2011 what an area of 99,410 ha in Lithuania 130 059 ha in Latvia and 10,906 ha in Estonia met.
Some areas of the processing of organic products in all three Baltic States developed relatively high. The lack of demand in the local markets leads to a small number of mills and slaughterhouses that accept Farming commodities, delaying the development of the grain and meat industries, both areas with a large potential for the future.
Another problem is the unreasonably low of EU direct payments to farmers in the Baltic and other Eastern European countries. The payments for the Baltic States are currently up to 4 - to 5-times lower than in some Western European countries, which is why the farmers can not sell their products on the EU market at competitive prices.
The future role of the three countries can export of organic products and raw materials, followed by growing internal markets are seen. Many abandoned or extensively managed areas Good prospects for the growth of organic production. The area is not very attractive as a market for exports, as the number of residents located in all three countries together is under eight million.