EVOLUTION OF MILK PRODUCTION IN THE NORTH EASTERN REGION OF ROMANIA

The paper aimed to present the evolution of Milk Production during the period 1990-2011 in the North West Region of Romania, including Iași, Botoșani and Suceava counties. It is based on the statistical data provided by Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development. The data have been processed into the following indicators: cattle livestock, number of dairy cows, milk yield, and milk production. During the analyzed period, cattle livestock has continuously decreased, so that in the year 2011 there are just 1,440 thousand cows in Romania of which in the North Eastern part are raised about 25%. Milk yield has increased from 2,850 kg/cow in the year 1990 to 3,980 kg/cow/year in the year 2011, but total milk production has decreased taking into account the reduced number of cows. As a conclusion, the North East region is traditionally suitable for cow rearing, due to its pastures and meadows, the important number of cow stock and possibilities to produce ecological milk