International competitive position of the Polish selected food markets

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the article was to evaluate the current situation and changes of the international competitive position of selected Polish food markets. Design/Methodology/Approach: To quantify the evaluation of competitiveness, ratio analysis was used. Indicators of the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Lafaya Index (LFI) and Specialization Indicator (SI) were calculated. The research covers the years 2004-2018. Findings: The research of the foreign trade of polish agri-food sector showed that its role in the analyzed period in the Polish economy is becoming stronger. The main food industries in export are meat and processed meat, tobacco and cigarettes, dairy products, and fish and fish products. The research results enable us to identify international specializations of the Polish agri-food branches in the analyzed markets, namely the tobacco and meat and fish processing industries in the EU-15 market, meat and offal in the EU-13 market, and the dairy industry in markets outside the EU. Practical Implications: Based on the study and research on the subject, suggestions and recommendations may be formulated for the public administration and food industry. Originality/Value: The research results indicate long-term changes in the potential and competitive position of the industry on the international market. Therefore study serves a basis for making future decisions by directors and managers of firms in the internationalization process of agri-food sector in Poland.