CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION AND CONCENTRATION OF DAIRY CATTLE IN POLAND IN 2010-2020

Polish agriculture is undergoing dynamic changes resulting from both economic processes and the European Union’s agricultural policy, particular attention is drawn to the transformation of the dairy sector. The aim of the study was to determine and assess changes in the distribution and concentration of dairy cattle in Poland between 2010 and 2020, as well as to identify key trends in regional specialization of milk production. The analysis focused on data regarding the number of farms keeping dairy cows and the regional cattle population. The study employed indicator-based analysis methods, including concentration ratios (CR4), the Gini index, and the Location Quotient (LQ). Additionally, structural and comparative analyses were conducted to identify the most significant trends. The results indicate an ongoing process of dairy cattle farming concentration, reflected in a declining number of farms engaged in milk production and an increasing share of larger herds. The highest production concentration is observed in the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Wielkopolskie provinces, which together account for over 55% of the national dairy cow population. The data also confirm the process of regional specialization, as evidenced by rising LQ values in provinces with a high share of milk production. The findings suggest that Polish agriculture is moving toward greater concentration of milk production in larger farms, which enhances efficiency but simultaneously leads to the marginalization of smaller units.