Potential and competitiveness of EU countries in terms of slaughter livestock production

Abstract

Models and methods of spatial econometrics are gaining more and more popularity. Their advantage is the opportunity to examine the interrelationships between individual territorial units. These methods, apart from the own potential of the region, take into account the impact of neighbouring objects and location in space. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between the potential and the level of competitiveness of individual European Union countries in the field of slaughter cattle production. In addition, the paper attempts to determine the specialisation of individual EU countries in the production of slaughter animals by sector. The analysis covered the years 2010–2016, using Eurostat data. The obtained results allow indicating countries in which there is a strong concentration of income potential (Sweden, Spain, Great Britain, France and Belgium). Countries in which the highest values of the potential quotients in the entire European Union are distinguished (Poland, Finland and Belgium).