Regional diversification of milk production in Poland - an attempt to identify the condition and causes

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the research was to identify regional diversity in dairy cattle breeding and to determine the reasons for this diversification. Materials and methods: The statistical data of agriculture and rural areas for the years 2007-2016, the Central Statistical Office, were used to implement the research objective. The analysis was based on a tabular, graphical and descriptive method. Results: The analyzes show that in the period since Poland's accession to the EU, the number of cattle in general has increased. It was the result of an increase in beef cattle breeding, while the number of dairy cows decreased with its simultaneous regionalization. Regions developing milk production are north-eastern voivodships: Podlaskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie and northern part of Mazowieckie, and limiting are the South-Eastern voivodships. Conclusions: The key difference between developing regions and limiting milk production was the production potential of farms. Thanks to the growing specialization, despite the decline in the number of dairy cows, milk production in Poland increased. Regional differences in milk prices occur in Poland and are closely related to milk productivity in individual provinces.