Characteristics of Poultry Meat Production in The European Union Member States

Topicality of the research is growing consumer demand for quality, health-beneficial poultry meat in the European Union Member States (EU). The aim of the paper is to characterise the production of poultry meat in the EU and development in Latvia. Research results show that the production and consumption is almost in balance in the EU. The total poultry meat production in the EU has steadily increased from 11.0 million tonnes in 2004 to 11.8 million tonnes in 2009, and consumption has increased from 10.3 million tonnes in 2004 to 11.6 million tonnes in 2009. Total poultry meat produced in Lithuania were 71437 tonnes (65.2% of the total poultry meat in the Baltic States), followed by Latvia - 23168 tonnes (21.2%) and Estonia 14882 tonnes (13.6%) in 2009. Consumers demand poultry meat with increased omega group fatty acids, antioxidants, and low level of cholesterol. In this aspect, feeding trial was conducted with cross Ross 308 broiler chickens by applying composition of the spruce needles neutral extractives substances in their diet. It is possible to improve broiler chicken meat quality significantly by increasing the level of antioxidants carotenoids and decreasing cholesterol level. It was concluded that profit from sales of innovative composition meat was 11.34% in comparison with commercial production. In the perspective, the quality of poultry meat should be increased by production of poultry meat that is innovative. Thus, the production costs will increase together with the productivity of the poultry.