This is 5,1% less than the same period of 2008 and 22.1% less than the corresponding period of 2007. Similarly, the production of pig carcasses in the country during the first two quarters of 2009 was only 20,000 tonnes, that is 26,9% less than in 2008. Such low figures according to officials in the local Meat Industry Association may pose a real threat to "meat security" of the country.
       
       In addition, according to the Lithuanian meat industry officials, the country is facing another negative trend. Almost all the Lithuanian meat products are exported, while most of the products sold on the domestic market is made from imported meat, causing losses of local meat producers and processors.
       
       Until recently Russia was the biggest sale market for the Lithuanian red meat especially when swine flu pandemic threat has led to restrictions on pork imports from the US, Canada and Spain, but due to the current production slump in Lithuania the export figures are very low.
       
       "We do not know how to deal with such situation," sources in the Lithuanian Meat Industry Association have stated.
       
       According to official data, the level of pork consumption in Lithuania is currently about 2 million pigs a year, while the domestic production 1 million pigs; mutton production in the country during the first two quarters of 2009 amounted to 13,96 tonnes.
       Source: Meat International, September 24, 2009