AN OVERVIEW OF BUFFALO MILK PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION AT TERRITORIAL LEVEL

The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of buffaloes' number and buffalo milk production, from the perspective of statistical indicators and the topicality at territorial level, also describing the ways of buffalo milk use and distribution. The calculations are based on the operational data provided by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and official statistic data, using statistical indicators such as average, minimum, maximum, annual growth rate, standard deviation, coefficient of variation. Research shows that during 2010-2020, number of buffaloes decreased to 19,596 heads, by 30.3%, with an average annual rate of -3.55%. The majority of buffaloes grow in central and north western Romania, and the largest numbers are in Cluj County (3,470 heads). On October 31, 2020, 199,539 hl of buffalo milk were produced, Maramure. County being on the first place, with 50,976 hl milk. Of total milk production, 58.3% is destined for market, 28% for family consumption and 13.7% for technological consumption on farms. Of the market milk, 64.7% is sold directly on the market and only 35.3% is delivered to milk processing units.