Evaluation of some effectiveness elements of the pig breeding industry in Bulgaria, through cluster analysis

An evaluation was made of the effectiveness elements of the pig breeding industry in Bulgaria in the period 2001-2016, through cluster analysis. The studied period was divided in 3 subperiods, each one with three similar groups (clusters). Through application of cluster analysis, the proximity of the different administration regions in the country was defined in accordance with certain indicators of the pig breeding effectiveness. It was found that in the first cluster for the period 2001-2006 fall North-Western and South-Western region. The North-Eastern and North-Central region form the second cluster. The South-Eastern and South-Central region fall mainly into the third cluster. In the first cluster for the period 2007-2011, the North-Western, South-Western and South-Central regions have a priority with the lowest number of sold animals. The North-Eastern and the North-Central region, forming a third cluster, remain with the highest effectiveness of the pig farming. After the end of 2013 an aggregation of the sector began. For the period 2012-2016, the second cluster is formed from three regions - North-Western, South-Western, and South-Central in 2013.