Supply side competitivenessof Polish vegetable sector in the European Union

The study analyzed the crop area, the volume and value of production of fresh primary vegetables in order to determine the competitive position of Polish vegetable sector on the supply side of the EU market. Using data, mainly from FAOSTAT from the years 2004-2012 and WAP elements four groups of vegetables dominating on the European market (tomatoes, onions, brassica vegetables, carrots and turnips) were identified. Calculated: Gini concentration ratio and the Herfindahl-Hirschman index showed that the carrots and turnips market was the most competitive one, and tomatoes market the least one . Poland is a dominating manufacturer of tomato and onion in the European Union and ranks first in terms of production volume of brassica vegetables, as well as carrots and turnips. Poland has a huge production capacity, mainly in the form of land and labor resources, but does not use them effectively, thereby losing competitiveness compared to the “old” EU member states. Low farming culture of producers and poor equipment of vegetable sector in infrastructure for the the production and storage of high quality raw materials are also reasons of the weak competitive position of the country