Convergency potentialities of interests of meat producers and consumers. Summary of the Doctoral thesis for the scientific degree of Dr. oec. | Gaļas ražotāju un patērētāju interešu konverģences iespējas. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums Ekonomikas doktora (Dr. oec.) zinātniskā grāda iegūšanai

Primary researches and evaluation of topic issues in this field created basis for the hypothesis of the Doctoral thesis: interests of meat producers and consumers can better harmonize in technologically modern, specialized agricultural enterprises. Corresponding to theme of Doctoral thesis the research object is meat production sector, but research subject - interests of producers, processors and end consumers. Defined hypothesis aroused the research aim - to investigate development tendencies of beef production, to clarify approximetation possibilities of interests of producers and consumers in sector and to define possible solutions of their convergence. The following research tasks have been set to achieve the aim: - to perform analysis of theoretical and social aspects of factors and conditions affecting meat processing process; - to describe legal and institutional basis of meat production; - to analyze actual economic situation of beef production in Latvia and to clarify factors that influence development of sector; - to investigate purchase price of beef and its developing factors; - to analyze tendencies of beef consumption; - to summarize problems that hamper development of beef sector and to work out recommendations for their solutions. The structure of Doctoral thesis is formed in accordance with the tasks and consists of five chapters. In Chapter 1, theoretical and social aspects of factors and conditions affecting meat processing process were discussed. Meat processing and society development connections, int. al. meat consumption and health aspects, forms of meat processing, were ascertained. In Chapter 2, the legal basis of meat production, which consists of international agreements, conventions, legal acts of the European Union and Republic of Latvia, as well as institutional system in Latvia were summarized and evaluated. In Chapter 3, the research results on beef production sector economic situation in Latvia was expounded. Using adequate research methods - calculation of statistical data, analysis of interconnections, data generalization and analysis of dynamic row – cattle dynamic in farms with different economic size and specialization were analyzed. Beef production costs and operating results of cattle breeding farms were assessed. In Chapter 4, the purchase price of beef and its developing factors were investigated. It was concluded that purchase price of beef is affected by concentration of production, specialization, seasonality and quality of cattle carcasses. Special attention was paid on local action of abattoirs when they determine purchase price of beef. International experience in development of purchase price of beef was studied. In Chapter 5, the research results of beef consumption tendencies were summarized and assessed. An analytical evaluation about convergence possibilities of interests of beef producers and consumers was provided.