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The content of this paper presents the research results of a three-year research project in which a multi-criteria evaluation model (according to the DEX methodology) was developed for the evaluation of three different food sectors (represented by a cattle breeding chain, a pig farming chain, and a milk production chain) with added value in Slovenia. Indicators for the assessment of the economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable development of food chains were taken into account. The data for the analysis, such as prices and costs of food, wage levels by sector, food miles and others, were obtained from various public services between 2020 and 2023. The final qualitative assessment of the food sectors was uniform ("average"), while the longest analysis of the results using the plus-minus-1 analysis method showed the reasons for such an assessment in individual sectors (such as the ratio between the price of agricultural products and the price of agricultural inputs is poor, the ratio between average gross salary in the individual food sector and gross salary in the agricultural sector is poor, etc.). In addition to the results already mentioned, recommendations or suggestions for building a sustainable food chain were made using the results of the modelling. The research results contributed to a better understanding of the importance of stable relationships between different groups of indicators and later showed their importance for improving the functioning of agri-food chains. The results of the research will help various stakeholders (such as the agricultural advisory service, decision-makers at the level of agricultural policy, researchers in further analyses, and especially the international professional public interested in various case studies from EU countries) to further analyse and plan for the organisation of the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper utilizes available data sets and a single translog profit function to examine the performance of dairy farms operating in mountain and lowland areas, respectively. A translog profit model estimates reveal an apparent trend going toward explaining the better economic performance of highland dairy farms stemming from their capability to adjust accurately to underlying changes in the milk market. The empirical analysis finds mostly inelastic price elasticity trends. Translog profit model alleviates the path of understanding in explaining the better economic situation of these high-land dairy farms stemming from their capability to adjust adequately and promptly to ongoing changes in the milk market. Finally, the results of the study could at the same time deliver a new dimension in further debate about CAP post-2020 developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attention of this paper is drawn to analyze the economic potential of involvement of farmers into the small-medium sized value-based food chain (VBFC). The survey represents a solid data basis from which econometric modelling approach was further developed. Empirical results reveal the positive economic viability on a general level; this means more stable purchase price of raw milk for dairy farms, which are the part of value-based food chain. Results point at inelastic demand for milk and milk related products. Furthermore, there are some accompanying and underlying indirect social benefits, such as production of high-quality food products, more stable and constant demand for raw milk, steady payments and better social situation. The last one is especially important for the farms operating in less-favored mountain areas where the survey was actually conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]