Animal production continuously stable

Estonian agricultural producers produced 701,900 tons of milk last year, i.e. 1% more than a year earlier. Milk production has been relatively stable during the last five years, increasing by about 0–3% every year. Last year, the average milk production per cow was 6,765 kilograms, i.e. 281 kilograms more than a year earlier. This indicator has increased every year during the last five years.

146.6 million eggs, i.e. 7% less than a year earlier, were produced. The production of eggs has decreased by one third during the last five years.

111,400 tons (live weight) of livestock and poultry were slaughtered in holdings or sold for slaughter to meat processing enterprises. Meat production, which had stood at the same level for a couple of years, increased by 4% in 2008 compared to the previous year.

According to preliminary calculations, on 31 December 2008, the cattle in Estonia numbered 238,200 (of which 100,500 dairy cows), there were 364,000 pigs, 84,000 sheep and goats and 1.7 million poultry. The total number of animals decreased a little compared to the previous year.

The livestock purchased by meat processing enterprises gave 9,500 tons of beef and 32,100 tons of pork.

Milk processing enterprises purchased 614,300 tons of milk, the amount of purchased milk increased 4% compared to the previous year.