Mogućnosti poboljšanja konkurentske pozicije Republike Srbije na međunarodnom tržištu mesa / Opportunities for improving the competitive position of the Republic of Serbia in international meat market

The main research objective is to determine the relevant elements important for the growth of animal husbandry in the Republic of Serbia on the basis of original and derived data. The research included the analysis of the factors that determined the production, but also the export of meat in the analyzed period. In addition, the aim is to analyze other factors that have determined previous exports, in order to point out the basic directions of export expansion, as well as to define the corresponding export strategy the most suitable for the international environment, i.e. certain segments of market. Quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used in this paper. The applied instrumentarium consists of the time series analysis and the comparative method. The research is mostly based on the use of available data, while one part of the research is based on field research through personal communication with appropriate business entities - producers, processors and exporters of meat in the Republic of Serbia. The time period covered by the research is from 2005 to 2014. The number of heads of analyzed cattle in terms of total livestock production in the Republic of Serbia recorded a rising trend line, with the exception of the number of cattle that recorded a declining trend. The production of meat of cattle and pigs recorded a decrease and declining trend, while production of sheep and goat meat recorded growth trend. The production of chicken meat had a pronounced growth trend, which is in line with the growing demand for this type of meat in the world. From the point of view of the quantity and value achieved in the export of meat from the Republic of Serbia, the beef meat was the most significant. It is followed by pig and chicken meat, while the smallest value was realized in the export of sheep and goat meat. The quantities of meat that were exported in the analyzed period represented a small part of the total meat production in the Republic of Serbia. The biggest share in exported quantities in relation to total production was recorded for beef meat. It is followed by chicken and pig meat, while the smallest share in exports in relation to total production was recorded for sheep and goat meat. The export competitiveness is not satisfactory, which is indicated, among other things, by the export price for individual types of meat, which on the international market achieve significantly higher value in relation to the average global price, as well as the prices achieved by the leading exporters.