THE EVOLUTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS THAT BENEFITED FROM THE MENTION OF OPTIONAL QUALITY "MOUNTAIN PRODUCT" IN THE MOUNTAIN AREA OF ROMANIA, DURING THE PERIOD 2017-2020

Maria Ciocan-Alupii, V. Maciuc

Abstract
   The paper aimed to present the situation of dairy products that benefited from the optional quality mention "mountain product" in the mountain area of Romania, during the period 2017-2020. This paper is based on statistical data provided by the National Sanitary-Veterinary Authority and for Food Safety and also by the National Institute of Statistics and the National Agency for Mountain Area, data from the National Register of Mountain Products. These were processed within the National Agency of the Mountain Area in the following indicators: number of counties with mountain area, number of Administrative-Territorial Units in the mountain area, total area of the mountain area (Km²), area of pastures and hayfields in the mountain area (ha), the herds of animals from the mountain area (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs), number of dairy products that benefited from the optional quality mention “mountain product”. Compared to 2017, the herds of animals, in 2019, have significant decreases, leading to negative effects on the maintenance of permanent grassland areas in the mountain area, milk and meat production obtained from animals, milk and meat processing activities and, consequently, reduced development opportunities of farms in the mountain area.