COMPETITIVENESS OF THE POLISH BEEF MARKET-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The paper discusses economic and environmental aspects of the competitiveness of the beef market from the Polish perspective. Features of the growth in this market after the economic transformation are presented, with emphasis on progress in the specialisation and quality of production. We analysed market trends, production quality improvements, and export dynamics to show Poland's role as a major beef producer and exporter within the EU. The aim of the paper is to outline the changes that have taken place in Polish trade with EU countries and with third countries, as well as the competitiveness of the beef sector on international markets. The analysis is based on Eurostat data from the years 2003-2022, analysed via import-export coverage ratio, market concentration measures, and analysis of comparative advantages. The results show that Poland is in a strong position in the EU market, although potential risk areas were found. The future of the Polish beef market will depend on its ability to adapt to global market trends, changes in consumer preferences, and challenges related to sustainable production.