Agriculture

It is ever more often that Lithuanian fishes are found on the table of the Westerners. Fishes are raised naturally in the reservoirs of Daugų žuvis UAB, one of the largest exporters of fish in Lithuania, therefore they are more delicious and healthier.

The first fishes from the Daugai reservoirs were exported to Poland. Today Lithuanian fishes reach Germany. Export of fish to Western Europe is expected to expand. France and Belgium are the countries in prospect. The Company Daugų žuvis that has been cherishing the traditions of fishing in Lithuania for several decades is one of the largest fish exporters in Lithuania. The Company sells more than 70 per cent of fishes raised in its reservoirs abroad. According to the Director General of Daugų žuvis Giedrius Kizalas, the annually increasing quantities of exported fish meet all western requirements, which are really very high.

Fishes are raised naturally

Reservoir fishery in Lithuania has centuries-old traditions. It is known that ponds of the estates and farms of independent Lithuania covered an area of about 1500 hectares. At the present time there are as many as eight times that number of reservoirs in Lithuania. The beginning of Daugų žuvis UAB is related to the fish artel (association for common work), which fished mainly in the lakes of southern Lithuania –Lazdijai, Varėna and Alytus regions. The first reservoir was built exactly forty years ago. Later the reservoirs were begun to be expanded and now they cover an are of 700 hectares.
The carp is the main fish raised in the reservoirs of Daugų žuvis UAB, and in the whole of Lithuania as well. This was determined by the ability of this kind of fish to adapt itself to natural conditions, as well as by its good taste. Large mirror carps weighing from 1,8 to 2,5 kilograms are popular with foreigners because they distinguish themselves for their good gustatory qualities, and they have no taste of silt. Owners of the Daugai fish farm note that various measures encouraging a faster growth of fishes are used when raising carps abroad. The attitude prevails on this farm that it is better to raise one or two tons of fish less but raise fish naturally without any additives. This kind of fish is healthier and more delicious.
Live fish from the Daugai reservoirs reach the consumers’ tables all year round. The white-amur, the pike, the crucian carp, the tench, the European catfish and the sturgeon are also bred in the reservoirs of the company.

Organic fish farming is viable

Five years ago Daugų žuvis UAB started developing organic fish farming, which has not been exploited in Lithuania to the full yet and is considered to a viable sphere of agriculture in the country. Statistics also testify to the fact that the demand for organically raised fish is on the increase. Daugų žuvis UAB raises organic fish in more than half of its reservoirs – in an area covering 400 hectares. According to the managers of the Company, good natural conditions – the farms are situated far from large cities, which means, far from the air and water pollution sources – are conducive to developing organic fish farming.

The farm is being modernized annually

Daugų žuvis UAB is developing a full-weight farm, which means that fishes are bred and raised there. Every year about 600 tons of fishes of different age are raised there and about 400 tons are realized. Fishes are sold not only for food but also to stock lakes and ponds with fish. Special attention is devoted to modernizing the production basis, the implementation of new technologies. With the help of the European support modern fish transportation vehicles have been purchased, which are capable of carrying up to 12 tons of fish about 3000 kilometers. All necessary conditions satisfying the EU veterinary requirements to carry live fish over very large distances are created in such vehicles. Live fish remains of exceptionally high quality therein. This year the Company is again taking part in the environmental programme being supported by the European Union. State-of-the-art reservoir management technologies have been acquired, which will enable the Company to maintain its reservoirs in a more efficient and modern way. Automatic fish feeding grounds have been equipped. This will help raise fish of higher quality at a lower cost. It is planned to reconstruct live fish storehouses. Besides, the Company plans to reconstruct the reservoirs and fillings so that populations of rare birds could inhabit them.