15. Adjustment of cattle and sheep production in Croatia to the economic and market environment

Abstract

Animal production in Croatia during last two decades has had to adjust to new economic and market trends. Changes are evident at the primary production, processing and consumption levels, but they are more obvious in cattle than in sheep production. Liberalisation of genetic resources and animal products markets has encouraged economic units towards strategic association representing common interests. Producers are included on the basis of primary production (milk, meat), breed, area or other identity, and association is encouraged by public services. This kind of association is very important for production and transfer of knowledge and experience. The processing industry is non- formally bound into interest groups, imposing qualitative and quantitative standards on primary producers in order to satisfy consumer needs. During the last twenty years the numbers of cattle and sheep have decreased by 46% and 17%, respectively. Structurally, cattle production is adjusting through production unit enlargement, introduction of modern technologies and genotypes, boosting efficiency and maximizing benefits. The decrease in dairy cattle number had no significant effect on quantity of milk produced, but had a negative effect on calf numbers for beef production. Sheep production has suffered inconsiderable structural change, but local breeds have been enhanced and traditional production technologies are being standardized. Sheep milk is processed into quality cheeses, which are marketed as valued-added products. Standard models of sheep and beef meat production are recognisable on a national level, but they need to undergo quality standardization to facilitate appropriate marketing.