Representing competitiveness of Bulgarian dairy production

Bulgarian dairy production makes up a significant portion of the overall agricultural sector's production (12% in 2021). The study reveals its development and quantifies sectoral competitive performance. The period under review began after Bulgaria acceded to the EU in 2007. Canada's Task Force for Competitiveness in the Agri-Food Sector developed a theoretical framework, defined as "the sustained ability to profitably gain and maintain market share" (Martin et al. 1991), which forms the basis of the method's concept.

The study aims to investigate the development of the Bulgarian milk sector's competitiveness (including dairy, sheep, goat, and buffalo milk and products). An index of competitiveness was developed and applied, comprising of two components: market performance and value generated. The results synthesize competitive performance on internal and external markets, showing a sustainable competitiveness decline through the examined period.