Tendencies and Market Changes in the Performance of the Dairy Sector

Abstract

The analysis in this paper aims to overview and trace up the dynamic and running tendencies in the development of the dairy sector, covering all stages in the chain from the production through the processing up to the trade and retail market. It is also bound to analyze the effect from the support in the sector and its performance in terms of international trade context with dairy goods. The achievement of this goal is pursued by application of descriptive analysis of the situation performed in the sector within the last decade along with usage of causal - consequential method for identifying the causes for the observed problems and deductive analysis for adumbrating the feasible perspectives. A throughout decline in the dairy herds is posted, whereas the dairy production also dropped steeply during the first years after 90’s. The milk output and number of the dairy cows show signals for stabilization since the beginning of the new Century but concerning trends and demonstrated weaknesses last even after the accession of the country in EU and the access to a considerable support. In Bulgaria, the dairy livestock represents a mixed husbandry organization, as a inherent specialization is not well-shaped and particularized. The raise of the minimal thresholds for complementary payments upon the dairy production will exclude an immense part of the farms from such support and will likely affect their further development.