The research was carried out in the years 2015–2018 on the commercial plantations of a horticultural farm. The analysis focused on the yields of two raspberry cultivars: ‘Polana’ and ‘Polka’, factoring in the influence of cultivation methods (in the ground; in the beds with an agrotextile), soil classes (IIIa; IVb), and plantation age (2–5 and 6–10 years). The commercial yields of fruit intended for processing were determined. The economic efficiency analysis of the production of both varieties was carried out. It was shown that regardless of the factor under scrutiny, higher results (in t·ha–1) were obtained from the ‘Polana’ variety. There were differences in the yields of the two varieties depending on the factors. In the case of both varieties, higher results were obtained in traditional cultivation and in class IIIa soil. The plantation age caused only slight differences in the yields of both varieties. The analyses showed statistical significance only in the case of the impact of the cultivation method on the yields of the ‘Polana’ cultivar. Regardless of the variety, the value of production decreased year after year, which resulted mainly from the downward trend in raspberry prices.

No abstract

For many years Poland and Serbia have played the dominating roles in European raspberry production. However, the growing production in Ukraine might threaten the relative stability of the raspberry market for both countries. It is projected that in the coming years Ukraine will strengthen its competitive position in relation to the current industrial raspberry production leaders. This justifies the need to conduct comparative analyses of competitive power, and its contributory factors, including production costs in individual countries. The aim of this study was to compare economic viability and cost-effectiveness in raspberry production, using the examples of selected horticultural holdings in Poland, Serbia, and Ukraine. The production volumes of raspberries in Poland, Serbia and Ukraine were analysed. The levels of costs and the financial results generated in raspberry cultivation for processing purposes were also determined, using the example of horticultural holdings in this countries. The results indicated that the direct costs in Ukraine, were just over half lower those in Poland and Serbia. The raspberry crop yields in the three investigated countries were similar, and the sales prices in the analysed years made it possible to obtain a surplus of receipts over direct costs.

Consumer opinion and behavior research plays an important role in the development of the market of specifi c products. Currently, research in the fi eld of consumer behavior towards organic food, which is gaining popularity on the Polish market whose production is in line with the concept of sustainable development and the European Green Deal related to it, is of particular importance. The aim of the study was to analyze the opinion and behaviors of consumers as regards organic fruit and vegetables and the promotion of these products as a determinant of them. The data for the analyzes came from empirical research conducted in Lublin at the turn of 2019 and 2020 by means of a proprietary questionnaire. The research was carried out on a sample of 534 respondents aged over 18. The scope of the research covered the opinions and behaviors of consumers towards organic fruit and vegetables as well as the factors determining the commencement of making or increasing the frequency of purchases of these products. An attempt was also made to defi ne the relationship between the opinions and behaviors presented by consumers and their demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The results of the research show that half of the respondents purchased organic fruit and vegetables, of which only 1/4 claimed to do so regularly and quite often (several times a week). The respondents most often purchased these products in specialized stores – with organic food. According to the surveyed consumers, organic fruit and vegetables are rich in nutrients, healthy and safe, and produced using environmentally friendly methods. The most important factors infl uencing the increase in purchases and consumption and thus the development of the market for organic products were the increase in the availability of this product category in the places of everyday shopping and the reduction of their prices as the most important factors. The conducted research showed that for the respondents, promotional campaigns aimed at popularizing organic food, its values and impact on human health are not without signifi cance.

The paper presents the opinion of farmers on the possible changes in the agricultural tax system. Attention was drawn to the expected positive changes and farmers’ concerns following the introduction of income tax in agriculture. The research shows that almost 40% of respondents positively evaluated the above proposal, and about one-third of them claimed that the taxation of agricultural activities will be very unfavourable for farmers. Following the changes, farmers are concerned about complicated tax settlements, penalties for irregularities in settlements and frequent inspections from the tax authorities. Approximately 40% of the respondents felt that any changes will affect the increase of the current tax burden on farms in Poland. 45 and 30% of the respondents, however, predicted that the above change may contribute to an increase in investments and overall development of farms.