Ekologinės paukštininkystės plėtros Lietuvoje tyrimas

Ecological products become more and more popular in Lithuania and worldwide every year. Therefore, its demand is growing rapidly. The analyst of the market of ecological products professor Ulrich Hamm forecasts that trade in this section will increase by 20-40% or even 50% in some countries per year. Sociological researches show that each year people consume more and more of meat and its products, including chicken and eggs. Researches of consumers’ opinions show that the need for safe, quality and ecological food products grows in our country too. In consequence, a real possibility for the development of the farms growing ecological birds, for new work places, and additional income for people living in the country appears. The aim of the work: Having analyzed the regulation and the conditions of the market of ecological poultry raising in Lithuania, the European Union and worldwide, to assess factors influencing the development of ecological poultry raising. Lately the demand for fowl is growing because cattle meat and pork are becoming more expensive in Lithuania. However, statistic data claim that only one farm of ecological chicken from all those certificated in Lithuania is growing a limited number of chickens and does not satisfy the demand in the market. Lithuanian farmers are looking for new fields of activity such as the growing of exotic birds and animals, and are not interested in the possibilities of the development of ecological poultry-yards. It has to be noted that there are no scientific researches done, which would help farmers to make rational decisions on these subjects.