This year, the downward trend of gross output sustains. In the first quarter of the year, for instance, all categories of farms produced 0,8 million tons of meat, which is 8 percent lower than a year ago. The forecast of the meat yield for 1999 predicts about 4,3 million tons. The decline of meat production is, mainly, a consequence of unsatisfactory state of animal husbandry. The present situation is evident that in the nearest future there will be no possibility to fully satisfy people s demand for meat.
Livestock raising remains the most unprofitable branch of agriculture.
State support of domestic meat producers is extremely low and doesn t substantially reduce their losses. The number of animals in the farms of all categories continues to diminish due to rising costs of livestock upkeep and high prices of combined fodder. 100 Provision of animals with all kinds of fodder this year is much lower than last year. Feed amount per head of cattle was 4,4 metric centners of fodder units against 7,4 in 1998. Animal efficiency remains low, although a certain growth of few indicators has been noticed in some agricultural enterprises since last year.