engleski

Cooperative business potential for beekeepers in Croatia

Croatia’ s agricultural sector has been in transition since the break-up of the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Structural changes have led this transition (50 percent of land was farmed by large heavily subsidized, vertically integrated agricultural holdings). A large number of very small land holdings (averaging approx. 2.5 ha) have engaged in beekeeping, even during socialist times, because it presented a viable source of extra income for farmers. Farmers tend to join associations or cooperatives to receive economic benefits ; conversely, Croatian beekeepers have been less inclined to use cooperatives in marketing their products due to deeply rooted mistrust that has its origins in the previous Yugoslavian government. However, as beekeepers become accustomed to the new economic structure in Croatia, cooperative business structures present potential access to other marketing venues for beekeeping products. The results of this study provide an overview of Croatian beekeepers’ status within the industry and their interest in establishing cooperative businesses that have potential to better their position in the market place.

Honey market; honey production; co-operative; Croatia

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