Economics and profitability of sheep and goat production under new support regimes and market conditions in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

The study presents changes and tendencies in sheep and goat production from 1990 to 2004 in Central and Eastern Europe. Aspects considered are numbers of animals and potential of milk, meat, skin and wool production in sheep and goats. Moreover, the paper describes the production systems and the organization of sheep and goat production as well as the supporting schemes, profitability of production and perspectives of breeding of small ruminants in this region. A significant revival in this production sector in Central and Eastern Europe can be expected in those countries which joined the European Union in 2004.