Agriculture, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies

"Foreigners have purchased quite much of land in Lithuania. My neighbours in Lower Lithuania are a Swede, a Norwegian, and a Dane. A Swede has established a company in Plunge, acquired a farm, one of the most modern ones, even a robot is used there," said Stancikas.

According to Chairman of the Chamber of Agriculture, it happens when a farmer of venerable age understands that he has no one to pass his assets on.

"This problem exists not only in Lithuania, but in all Europe. () There are young people, but they do not want to be engaged in agriculture, this problem arises in our country as well. In such cases, foreigners appear in Lithuania," said Stancikas.

The chairman is not set against individual foreigners, who would like to settle down in Lithuania and to begin farming. He states that it is highly likely that "not a foreigner, but a speculator is dangerous." Stancikas does not welcome big corporations and funds, which would use the Lithuanian land as an investment instrument.

"Their goal is big money, and investment in land is a good investment, there are cases, for instance, in African countries, when local residents were evicted from their homeland, they have other goals. We are against such capital entering Lithuania, yet, most likely we would not find any significant opposition among farmers against individual foreign farmers coming here and cultivating land," said Stancikas.