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The aim of the article is to assess the economic and financial situation of the food industry and its main industries in Poland in 2023 compared to 2019. The analysis used the method of synthetic assessment of the financial result developed by Bednarski. A comparative assessment of the dynamics of quantitative and qualitative indicators determining changes in the value of individual production factors and the efficiency of their use was carried out, both for the entire food industry and its main industries. The research was further enhanced by a cause-and-effect analysis of the financial result, which determined the level of influence of individual production factors on the growth of revenues and profit. The study used published and unpublished data from the Central Statistical Office. The synthetic assessment of the financial result of the food industry shows that despite the fact that entities in the audited period faced many challenges, m.in. related to price pressure, their economic and financial situation in 2023 was better than in 2019. In-depth research has shown that the development of the sector took place mainly through the increase in the technical equipment of labor and the improvement of the economic efficiency of the human factor involved in economic activity. Such a situation occurred in most industries (in 13 out of 18 respondents), and only in a few did not improve the net financial result. In the coming years, companies will have to face challenges related to, m.in others, high costs of raw materials and labor, but also the energy transition, which is why achieving sufficiently high processing margins is a priority for enterprises.

The aim of the article is to assess the spatial distribution of food industry enterprises in Poland and the level of their regional concentration, as well as the changes that have occurred in this area in recent years. Due to the changing external conditions, the specificity and dependencies occurring within individual industries, as well as changes taking place in the supply of raw materials and the progressive development of agglomerations, the location of the food industry in Poland is spatially diverse. In some voivodeships the food industry is a key sector of the economy, while in others its importance remains small. The analysis used mainly the location quotient (LQ), which takes into account two variables, i.e. the value of sold production and employment. This indicator made it possible to determine the specialization of a given region in terms of the adopted variables, indicating the degree of concentration of enterprises of various industries in the area of individual voivodeships. The studies covered the years 2015 and 2021. Statistical data came from the Central Statistical Office. The analysis of the spatial diversity of the location of food industry enterprises in Poland shows that the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship are of key importance in this respect. In-depth research using the LQ indicator shows that this industry branch is also highly concentrated in the Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Łódzkie voivodeships, and the region›s specialization can also be concluded in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeships.

In the modern period, research on the creation of waste-free technologies and sustainable development of the food industry are relevant due to the need for rational use of natural resources and reduction of the environmental burden on ecosystems. The study was devoted to studying the possibilities of using oilcake, the residue after oil extraction from oilseeds, in the food industry. The study aimed to determine the effect of adding sunflower, rapeseed, soybean and flaxseed oilcake on the nutritional value, organoleptic properties and economic feasibility of food production. In the experimental part, the necessary analyses were carried out for bread, bars and biscuits made with the addition of oilcake in different proportions (10, 20, 30%). Study results showed that the use of oilcake significantly increases the content of proteins, fats and vitamins in products, improves their taste and texture, and reduces production costs. The greatest savings were achieved by adding 30% sunflower oil oilcake to the bread, about 10% compared to the control sample. Products with the addition of oilcake in proportions of 10-20% had better organoleptic characteristics, without any noticeable effect on the taste, texture and overall perception of the products. The addition of 30% oilcake in most cases led to a deterioration in taste, especially in the case of rapeseed and mustard oilcake. Based on the research, it is possible to conclude that soybean oilcake is the best among the tested products for use in the food industry. The results of the experiments confirmed that oilcake can be effectively used as an ingredient in the food industry, helping to reduce production waste, increase the nutritional value of products and reduce their cost. This opens new opportunities for the development of innovative food products and contributes to the sustainable development of the food industry. The use of soybean oilcake can significantly improve the nutritional properties of breads, bars and biscuits, while also expanding the range of functional foods

This paper investigates the impact of heat waves on the productivity of the Italian food industry. Using daily weather and firm‐level data for the 2004–2019 period, we show that a heat wave causes, on average, a reduction in Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of about 3.2%. Smaller firms are more severely affected, with a reduction of approximately 7%, revealing unequal impacts within the same country and sector. The reduction in TFP can be partially attributed to lower workers' productivity, with labour input increased in order to compensate for productivity loss. The estimated effect is heterogeneous across subsectors, with some well‐known Italian products (e.g., wine production) more severely affected by heat waves. These findings have significant policy implications due to the expected increase in the frequency of heat waves caused by climate change, and are particularly important in the case of the Italian food industry, which is mainly composed of small firms. The paper highlights the need to investigate further the impacts of heat stress on the entire food system, as most of the literature has predominantly focused on the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a review related to the obtainment of cellulose from different structures in agro-industrial residues, both for application in the food industry and for the reinforcement of other materials. Cellulose nanofibers are produced by the heart of palm (Bactris gasipaes) industry in Brazil and are used as a stabilizer in avocado oil emulsions; conversely, cellulose nanocrystals are produced in waste from the tequila industry (Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul) in Jalisco, Mexico, and are used for reinforcement applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research problem presented in the article concerned the diversification of the level and effectiveness of the use of production resources in the food industry in the EU countries. Production resources were determined on the basis of the number of entities and employees in food producing enterprises. The effectiveness of their use was also measured by calculating the productivity indicators. In the article, the partial productivity was calculated on the basis of the value of sold production per one employee and one economic entity. Changes in the production resources of the food industry in the EU countries and the efficiency of their use were determined in 2005, 2010 and 2019. The results of the research indicate that the largest production resources and production volume of the food industry were found in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. In terms of employment, Poland played a significant role. The efficiency of the use of factors of production, measured by productivity indicators, was the highest in Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. On this basis, it can be concluded that regardless of the adopted measure of productivity, these countries make the best use of their production resources. By far the lowest levels of productivity in the food industry were recorded in Bulgaria and Romania.

• Updated review paper on blockchain-based smart contract adoption in agriculture and food industry globally by the Governments and the private entities. • Comprehensive listing of the most popular smart contract platforms among the developer community and their notable features. • Overview of current obstacles and emerging trends of blockchain technology in the agriculture and food sector. Blockchain Technology has been finding industry-wide applications over the decade ranging from supply chain traceability to tamper-proof land registrations; facilitated by smart contracts and non-fungible tokens. The inherent immutability, transparency, and security of blockchain networks can transform the agriculture and food industry. Although several reviews have already been written, a complete in-depth analysis covering the popular smart contract platforms, current research progress concerning the agriculture and food industry, and applications of blockchain technology other than supply chain traceability has not been well documented. This paper discusses smart contracts-the computer programs that run on the blockchain, the smart contract life cycle, some of the most popular smart contract platforms among the developer community, and smart contact applications in the agriculture and food industry which includes a gist of recent developments in the Government and private sector across continents and the challenges and future trends associated with the use of this rapidly evolving technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to present the assumptions underlying the corporate social responsibility concept, and to evaluate its perception by managers of small and medium-sized enterprises in the food industry in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Province in Poland. Contemporary managers face the challenges arising from operating in an unpredictable and high volatile environment. Changes are often revolutionary in character, creating completely new conditions for business activities. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has enriched the world of management with other than economic values. It promotes building a new type of relations with key stakeholders of an organisation. The implementation of actual CSR in an organisation is a difficult, time-consuming and risk-prone process. To a large extent, it depends on the level of awareness of its importance among the managerial staff. The research object consisted of decision-making persons employed in the analysed SMEs. The study was conducted in 2019 and in 2022, using a customised survey. The companies included in the survey focus on internal stakeholders, where the activities undertaken are mostly proactive in character. Regarding external stakeholders, such activities do not typically go beyond the legal norms. Most of the CSR-related activities tend to have an informal character. The importance of socially responsible values according to the surveyed managers working in the food industry is higher than the average value assigned by the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The aim of the article is to determine the relationship between the level of internationalization of food industry sectors and their economic and financial results. Unpublished CSO data for the years 2000-2017 were used. The data concerned the processing of fish, milk, meat, fruit and vegetables, beverage production, bakery and flour products, oils and fats, grain mill products, starches and starch products, ready-made feed and animal feed. To conduct the analysis, the internationalization intensity index calculated for individual food sectors was used. The analyzed sectors of the food industry were divided into 3 groups according to the intensity of internationalization. The most internationalized sectors were fish processing and the production of tobacco products, and the least internationalized sectors were milk and meat processing. In the next step, selected groups were compared in terms of economic and financial indicators. In order to confirm the statistical significance of the diagnosed differences, the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used. The research confirmed that the increase in the internationalization of the food industry sectors mainly affects indicators related to the labor factor, technical progress and asset productivity.

The purpose of the article was to present the possibilities of using new media as an opportunity to promote food products. The study analyzed the literature on the subject and available reports. A strategic approach to promotion in every industry is one of the basic elements of creating a competitive advantage. This statement also applies to the broadly understood food industry. Its diversity requires deep analysis and adaptation to the specificity of individual food markets. The Internet presents a huge field of activity in the promotion of food industry products and contact with customers. The customers of the 21st century are aware recipients, who use modern media to obtain information and make shopping decisions. As the results of research show (E-grocery report), in Poland, already 16% of Internet users declare that they regularly buy food products via the Internet. Taking into consideration the fact that the generation determining demand in the near future will be representatives of the Z generation, i.e. those born after 1996, manufacturers must adapt their form of communication to the lifestyle and needs of such clients. It is estimated that, by 2020, they may constitute up to 40% of consumers. Due to the fact that the main communication channel with the X and Z generation are new media, it is becoming necessary to use this communication channel, while adapting in form to the manner of communication of representatives of this generation.

The aim of the article is to present selected aspects of food industry development, in Poland, in the upcoming decade. The food industry, as one of the most important sectors of Polish agribusiness, year by year is becoming a point of interest for many institutions that would like to indicate its achievements as well as suggest the most appropriate development options. The article deals with discussion issues concerning finding an optimal development path for possibilities of using intellectual capital, techniques and technology as well as the benefits resulting from these for the food industry in Poland at the beginning of the 2020s. Selected development paths with their advantages and drawbacks are presented, and broadly defined restrictive conditions. Quantitative methods, such as ARIMA type models and the Ward method were used in carrying out the studies. Two methods, the MV/BV method and the q-Tobin method, were used to calculate intellectual capital. A search for existing domestic and international literature and reports was also conducted.

In this article, the chosen aspects of innovativeness of food industry against other branches of low technology were discussed. The analysis of innovative potential was made with the use of the following indicators: the share of innovative active enterprises incurring expenses on innovative activity and cooperating in this range and the expenditure level attributable to the enterprise incurring expenses. The innovative position was evaluated based on share indicators of: innovative enterprises (product and process innovations), introducing marketing and organization innovations as well as those sold in 2017 and new or significantly improved products introduced to the market between 2015 and 2017. It was stated that the most innovative branches, both among the subjects of the food industry and other branches of low technology were producers of tobacco and beverages. A significantly lower level of innovativeness was characterized among producers of groceries. They took 7th place among 11 branches of the low technology sector. This tendency is stable over time, as within previous years similar results of this research problem analysis were noted.

Ozone is a strong oxidant and strong disinfectant that has a strong anti-pathogenic effect on bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Because of its advantages such as high reactivity, strong permeability and low residue, the application of ozone is gaining more and more attention, and ozone has been widely used in water treatment, equipment disinfection, public scene disinfection, and other fields. The purpose of this review is to discuss the use of ozone technology for animal and plant protection that can be applied to agriculture, and to emphasize the need for further studies to determine the optimal concentration and application of ozone for different crops so that, in the future, ozone technology can be applied in agriculture to gain a significant competitive advantage and improve product safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the main challenges over the past few years has been to capture and analyze the progress made towards the transition to circular economy (CE), since ensuring that the transition is successful requires monitoring progress. As a result of the enormous amount of harmful waste produced by the olive oil industry in the Mediterranean region, monitoring and evaluating circularity has become the basis for economic development measures. An understanding of the degree of circularity is crucial to improving extraction processes. Additionally, this type of measurement could prove useful for driving policies on the topic and improving sustainability, since CE is often used as a potential tool to support sustainable development. This research provides a consistent review of the CE indicators used in agro-industry sector, based on the scientific literature and practice, identifying those who could assess circularity in the olive oil industry. Circularity refers to reducing waste and using by-products in the olive oil industry and in general in the food supply chain. The purpose of this review is to assess the success of CE strategies and to remove some of the ambiguity surrounding CE in practice. Despite the fact that the indicators of circular economy have aroused substantial attention globally, there is not much conceptual and empirical research focusing on the development of indicators in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the method of productivity decomposition consisting in the separate examination of its four functional aspects: performance, profitability, financial liquidity and debt level. As research tools, this method uses synthetic indicators describing the level of advancement of ICT and logistic solutions used, on the one hand, and financial indicators on the other in combination with correlation coefficients. The obtained results made it possible to verify the occurrence of Solow’s productivity paradox in the Polish food industry, pointing to the imperatives of its occurrence in various areas of productivity.

The primary aim of this article was to identify the models of internationalization of Polish food industry companies. As part of empirical studies, the interviews with managers at 52 food industry companies were carried out. In the studied enterprises, models of internationalization were identified according to the typology proposed by M. Witek-Hajduk. Most of the surveyed enterprises were classified to the “geographically diversified ethnocentrist" and "internationally equitable enterprises" model. Moreover export was the most commonly used form of internationalization.

This paper determines the impact of Brent oil shocks on the price of shares of companies from the oil, agricultural and food industries that includes the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, they use a quantile regression approach and compare its findings with a standard Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model. Moreover, in this research they use quantile regression, which enables them to analyze different quantiles of share prices of companies from the oil industry, the agricultural industry, and the food industry. They observe three different periods - a period of recession, a normal period and a period of expansion. Finally, empirical evaluations using quantile regression and OLS models show us that shocks from the oil market are more pronounced in companies from the oil industry compared to companies from the agricultural and food industries. The findings of this research provide important information for investors, economic policy makers, and other parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-harvest loss significantly impacts food security, economy, and the overall health of the entire population. About 30% of fresh produce is lost after harvest every year. Physical, macro-biological, microbiological, and enzymatic factors play key roles in losing quality and quantity of harvested crops. Management practices are strategized and executed to address these factors, bringing about new and improved technologies, along with conventional techniques that are easily available for farmers and handlers and effectively minimize loss. In this review, we have consolidated the various existing processing and value-added methods to reduce the loss of crops after harvest including physical and chemical methods and advanced packaging solutions employed in the food and agricultural sectors. The different physical techniques help to prevent or minimize microbial contamination, moderate enzymatic reactions, and maintain the intended organoleptic properties of the crops. These physical interventions are noteworthy for their environment-friendliness, which aligns with the global trend of agriculture adopting more sustainable and ecologically sensitive methods. Chemical techniques involving the use of preservatives and antimicrobial agents are essential to extend the shelf-life of the produce. Nonetheless, a cautious approach is necessary, considering the possible adverse effects of chemical residues on human health and the environment. Striking an appropriate balance between preservation techniques and sustainable agriculture is crucial for the long-term sustainability of post-harvest management measures. Packaging is another key component in the post-harvest management process. Coatings, intelligent and active packaging, and modified (MAP) monitor and control the interior atmospheric conditions of packed products while serving as strong barriers against external contaminants. These packaging innovations, driven by advancements in materials science and nanotechnology, serve as formidable barriers against spoilage, contributing significantly to reducing food waste and ensuring the availability of fresh produce for extended periods. An integrated and holistic approach to these strategies is essential to ensure food security, decrease losses, extend shelf-life and thus, increase the market availability period and quality of the produce to meet the import and export standards. This will in turn alleviate the burden on the farmers and agricultural sector, thereby improving their economic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to introduce the role of agri-food industry in the context of food securityin present agribusiness. Descriptive and comparative method of analysis has been used. In 2004-2014 theexport value of agri-food products increased four times and the import value three times. In 2008-2015,the number of food companies decreased of 11.8% but the value of sold food products increased of 34.7%and beverage of 4.9%. Investment expenditures for food production increased of 13.6% and for beveragesdecreased in the number of 37.0%. Agri-food industry companies have a leading role in food productionand providing of food security.

The aim of the paper was to present the state of implementation of obligatory and non-obligatory food quality andhealth safety management systems in polish food industry. The research included all food companies operating in Polandand subject to supervision of the Veterinary Inspection and are State Sanitary Inspection. Since the Polish accession tothe European Union, the number of companies that have implemented and maintained obligatory quality managementsystems has significantly increase. The study have shown that in 2015 obligatory HACCP system was maintained by 83%companies processing non-animal origin products and by 66% of companies processing animal products. Non-obligatoryquality management systems have implemented a very small number of food companies (2-5%) mainly industry leaders.

The purpose of this study is to calculate the externalitiesfor the agriculture and the agri-food industry ofplanned open-cast lignite mining on the Oczkowice reserve.The mine’s area of impact extends to 7 districts of south-westWielkopolska. The study envisages 2 options for the depressioncrater’s impact (mine dewatering) on crop productionand 2 scenarios of losses in livestock production. Losses dueto unrealized production in the agricultural and agri-food sectorswithin a 100-year time horizon (50 years of mining and50 years for hydrological recovery) are estimated to rangefrom PLN 22.4 billion to PLN 174 billion. Externals costs, definedas lost profits, are estimated to range from PLN 5.1 billionto PLN 39.5 billion. Compared to the value of lignitefrom the Oczkowice reserve, the level of external costs andproduction losses in the agricultural and agri-food sectorsmake open-cast lignite mining at that location an economicallyunviable project.

Published data on the preparation, physicochemical properties, chemical structure, and biological activity of tetraene macrolide antibiotic tetramycin were systematically described. Various directions of practical application of tetramycin in agriculture and food industry as an eco-friendly antifungal preparation were summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Since the 1990s, producers of farm commodities have been attempting to enter value-added agri-food sectors by means of joint ownership of hybrid cooperatives. New generation cooperatives, characterized by substantial supply and equity requirements, inspired much farm producer optimism before revealing weaknesses and limitations in the early 2000s. In response, recent innovations in US cooperative state law introduced the limited cooperative association (LCA), a new legal entity allowing joint ownership by member patrons and member investors to facilitate large-scale equity acquisition. However, business registration data indicate few such organizations have been formed in the agri-food industry. The LCA is adopted by several small-scale operations in niche markets such as lamb, elderberry, and non-GMO seed, but there is not much interest among business organizations in the commodity sector. This paper raises possible explanations for the limited adoption of the LCA, including the competing objectives of farmers and investors, the ambiguous legal interpretation of investor objectives, the superiority of other legal structures, and the lack of strategic advantages. The conclusion facilitates an invitation to further study the challenging future of farmer cooperatives in the agri-food industry.

Food and agricultural industries contribute a massive amount of organic waste, rich in bioactive molecules, including various proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, enzymes and many other biomolecules. With increasing emphasis on waste reduction, bio-based product development, and the provision of nutrition for all, these resources are being exploited for nutraceutical extraction, nutrient recovery for food fortification, and bioplastic production, among many other valorized applications. Transportation and storage are essential parts of all these enterprises, for which drying can be beneficial through reduction of cost of transportation and increased shelf-life. However, the processing and drying of these materials can be challenging, due to the inherent physicochemical properties of these biomaterials and the nonexistence of an industrial setup for handling waste. Complicacy of the concepts and technologies for applying these materials can also vary in regions around the world, depending on local agricultural and food industry practices. This manuscript will focus on these issues and discuss some of the techniques to deal with them in the current scenario, along with possible future perspectives relevant to the food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article was to assess the innovation of the food industry in the EU Member States. Innovation of the food industry was compared with the level of economic development of countries, innovative enterprises in general, and the importance of the food industry of individual countries in the domestic economy and the EU. The analyzes were based on data from the Eurostat database. The results indicate the occurrence of the relationship between the level of innovation of enterprises of the food industry and the level of economic development of countries and the overall innovation performance of enterprises in the manufacturing sector. In this regard, we observed it in general as a priority for countries of the old EU. In the case of Germany, Italy, Belgium and the UK, it was also heavily associated with countries in the EU food industry. Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Portugal were characterized by high levels of innovation of the food industry despite the relatively low level of GDP per capita and overall enterprise innovation.

Taking into consideration the specification of the sector, distinct tendencies in FDI flows can be expected both in the short and long term. The aforementioned assumption constituted the basis for the research the aiming at of which the presentation of the level, dynamics and structure of cross-border mergers and acquisitions in agricultural-food industry and exploration, on their basis, of the tendencies and directions in which they are going to change as well as to specify the place and role of agriculture and food industry in global flows of FDI. In order to reach the aforementioned goal, ex-post empiric analysis of capital flows in the form of mergers and acquisitions was applied (1990-2012) together with chosen statistical methods (measurements of placement and variation) and with indicators of structure and dynamics. The results of the analysis showed that M&As, in the long term, was specified by a relatively high cyclical nature as well as by a growing trend with short-term fluctuations around the trend distinct from those specifying other sectors. Moreover, the research proved that mergers and acquisitions constituted an important form of FDI flows and their implementation had a marginal meaning when considering the whole sector.

In the article, the paper discusses the carried out analysis of the use of IT at enterprises of the food industry. Based on the results of the survey carried out by the CSO and Eurostat, it was stated that the information technologies are more or less used by enterprises from the food industry than enterprises as a whole. It seems that entrepreneurs operating in food industry do not see the advantages of applying up-to-date IT systems and automatic exchange of information.

The article presents the diversification of financial liquidity of food industry enterprises in Poland in 2009-2011 and indicates the main factors shaping liquidity. The study used unpublished data of Central Statistical Office, allowing for the analysis of liquidity in the system classes the food industry and the system enterprise size (small, medium, large). The analyses show, that the food industry in Poland in 2009-2011, regardless of their size and adopted ratios, have the ability to regulate the current liabilities, but kept at a low level. Analysis of the factors influencing liquidity showed, that the primary importance was turnover ratio of current liabilities, as well as ratio of financing of income through equity.

In a global market, agro-food innovation becomes a fundamental element for the development and growth of a company. But the introduction of innovations cannot be separated from the implications related to the differentiation of agricultural or agro-food products, or to the improvement of the quality of the product. This research seeks to identify, through structured interviews, the market strategy followed by the entrepreneurs of the food sector in Sicily. The data that is collected through interviews with entrepreneurs in the agro-food sector Sicilian (year 2017) identifies the prevailing strategy followed by agribusiness Sicily. This research has followed the model of Vázquez-Barquero to interpret the strategies of fi rms interviewed in Sicily. Companies surveyed in this research show that all Sicilian provinces seems to prevail a market strategy of an innovative nature. In particular, it is noted that: almost all entrepreneurs interviewed, to be competitive, they prefer to improve the quality of the product, rather than reduce production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The access of some developing countries to globalization on a competitive basis has changed their position in the international division of labour and has meant the expansion of some of their domestic sectors, but, at the same time, it has deepened their structural features of dependency and structural heterogeneity. The semi-periphery, as a category that allows studying the changes in the centre-periphery structure, gives us the framework to analyse the participation of the Mexican agro-industrial sector in global value chains (gvc) and its impacts, which confirm the perpetuation of its peripheral features as disarticulation and extraversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Labour resources are an important factor in competitiveness of the sector. The aim of the study was to evaluate the spatial concentration of labour resources, performance advantages and cost-price advantages that are associated with the work factor in the food industry in the European Union in 2010–2012. The results indicate that the greatest concentration of labour resources exists in Germany, France, Italy and Poland. The biggest performance advantage was observed in the old EU countries, mainly in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. Diff erences in labour productivity in the food industry, the new EU countries, in relation to the old member states, are getting smaller. The most signifi cant cost-price advantage was observed in Ireland and the Netherlands, and many of the new EU countries, which compensated for the lack of performance advantages of lower labour costs. These include Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and Romania.

The article presents the results of the efficiency of working capital management in small, medium and large enterprises of the food industry in Poland years in 2005- -2009. The efficiency of working capital management has been evaluated by using the in-ventory cycle, receivables, liabilities and cash conversion cycle and by its relation to rate of return on non-financial assets. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of working capital was differentiated by size of enterprises and in industries where working capital cycles are the shortest, a relatively higher rate of return on assets was achieved. In the national food industry the highest efficiency, measured by cash conversion cycle and assets profitability, was characteristic for large companies. The beneficial effect of shortening the cycle of working capital on the profitability of assets also verified the regression analysis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the fi nancial security of food industry enterprises in Poland in 2009–2013, with particular emphasis on the processing industry of milk and cheese production, including those operating in the form of dairy cooperatives. The analysis was conducted using unpublished data of GUS, as well as individual fi nancial data on dairy cooperatives. The study indicates that the manufacturing sector of food and beverage production, as well as milk processing and cheese making, according to the established measures of fi nancial security, can be considered safe. This assessment, however, is varied and results from the specifi c industries, especially in relation to capital management.

The article presents the results of a study which aims to determine the effect of the number of industrial vertical linkages and participation in the supply chain on innovation activity of food industry in western Poland. The main research hypothesis is the assumption that innovation processes in food industry are strongly determined by the intensity and nature of the linkages and membership in the supply chain. The scope of the survey relates to innovation in food industry, concerns innovation at the company level and takes into account the diffusion to the “new to the company”. Innovative activities are divided into three general groups including: expenditure on research and development and investments in fi xed assets not used so far (such as: buildings, premises and land, machinery and equipment, computer software), implementation of new products and processes, and innovative collaboration. The survey covers 422 industrial enterprises. The methodological part of the study uses probit modelling that enables to identify the probability of occurrence of innovation activity.

The food industry is one of the traditional areas of management, the so-called low-tech. For this reason, technological and spatial proximity may be the key to create new solutions in the Polish food industry. The main objective of the study was an attempt to seek infl uence of relationships with suppliers on innovation activities of enterprises in the food industry in Poland. As a consequence, this would allow to determine the boundary conditions for the model structure of innovation networks within producers of food and beverages, with special reference to the Polish economy. The study was conducted on a group of 631 companies food industry companies located in Poland. Methodical part of the analysis was based on probit regression (probability theory).

Copyright of Ekonomika APK is the property of Economy of Argo-Industrial Complex and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists is the property of Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nowadays, the agri-food sector is facing fundamental challenges. According to the FAO study, the amount of arable land per capita in the world will decrease from 0.6 hectares per person in 2000 to 0.2 hectares by 2050, while the demand for food will increase by 70%. With today's yield growth of 1.5% per year, such changes could result in global food shortages. Therefore, the governments of developed and developing countries should support initiatives for the digitization of agri-food businesses and the introduction of new technologies to increase the volume of food production. Russia's war against Ukraine is the main cause of the global food crisis, which could bring serious political and economic consequences. The agricultural and food sector of Ukraine is about 10% of GDP. For many years, the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex, before the full-scale invasion of Russia, occupied a leading position among the global exporters. Ukraine supplied 10% of world wheat exports, more than 14% of corn and more than 47% of sunflower oil. A full-scale war has become a real test for the Ukrainian agri-food industry. The invasion entailed the destruction of food production processes and logistics chains. Many sowing areas were mined, equipment and warehouses were destroyed. At the end of 2022, Ukraine exported agricultural products worth USD 23.6 billion. Although the figure for 2022 is 15% less than the record of 2021 (USD 27.9 billion), last year's value of exports became the second since the independence of Ukraine. Disruptions to Ukrainian exports exacerbated the rise in food prices, which, according to the FAO index, increased by 54% in February 2022. In March 2023, prices fell, but they were still 6.4% higher than in 2022. The purpose of the study is to assess the level of digital transformation of the Ukrainian agri-food industry in order to ensure food security at the national and international levels. Digitalization of the agri-food industry in Ukraine should be considered a source of deep systemic transformations, which involves the use of digital technologies at the business level to optimize business operations, increase company productivity, and improve interaction with suppliers and customers. For agri-food companies, the issue of digitalization concerns not only technological modernization, but also a complete change of business processes: farm management systems, data processing and harvest forecasting, agricultural processing, food quality management, systems for creating added value for products, warehouse management systems, and human resources management. Nowadays, digitalization can accelerate the transformation of the agri-food industry across the entire supply chain, from manufacturing and purchasing processes to distribution, logistics and finance. Innovative technologies that can become breakthrough in the agri-food industry are as follows: bioinformatics; synthetic biology; food design; smart farming; vertical farms; aquaculture; bioinformatics; genetics; alternative sources of protein; technology of conservation and extension of the shelf life of food products. In Ukraine, a number of agri-food enterprises are moving to Industry 4.0. The most innovative companies in Ukraine are the largest exporters "Kernel", "MHP", "ASTARTA-KYIV". "Kernel", a large producer and exporter of sunflower oil, has been successfully implementing innovations for the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine for many years. The company uses digital technologies at all stages—from growing products to sales. The company's IT team digitized logistics, trading, and document management. All information about the processes taking place in agri-food production is collected in the "Kernel DigitalAgriBusiness" innovative ecosystem. "MHP", the largest producer and exporter of chicken in Ukraine, continues to use biogas to produce electricity, industrial steam, and heating. "MHP" biogas projects are a significant contribution to the company's energy independence and environmental responsibility. "ASTARTA-KYIV", a vertically integrated agricultural holding, developed a complex system of IT solutions for agribusiness management "AgriChain", which includes management of the land bank of the agricultural company (AgriChain Land), agricultural production (AgriChain Farm), monitoring of crops (AgriChain Scout), logistics of goods (AgriChain Logistics), warehouse management (AgriChain Barn), business processes (AgriChain Kit). Digital transformations are also being followed in the dairy industry. "Bel Shostka Ukraine" company is engaged in the digital transformation of the milk harvesting process. According to our research, breakthrough innovations are predominantly implemented by large Ukrainian agri-food companies, since they have significant financial resources for R&D, while SMEs are concentrating their efforts on the digitalization of business operations and implementation of energy efficient technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring food safety for people suffering fromvarious intolerances faces serious threats posed by allergenswhich have become a challenge for food manufacturers andmass caterers. These businesses are required to developand implement appropriate programs to manage allergenspresent in their sites. The purpose of this paper was to analyzethe actions taken by food manufacturers with respect tosubstances and products causing allergies or food intolerancesin the context of providing consumers with a safe, properlylabeled product. To achieve the objective of this study, a dataanalysis and synthesis method was employed based on requirementsdefined in obligatory and non-obligatory standardsfor food safety assurance and management in the foodproduction sector. In summary, as regards allergen management,the companies must create appropriate conditions andtake adequate measures (including the analysis of risks due tointentional and adventitious presence of allergens in food, andthe implementation of appropriate preventive actions). Solutionsprovided in the mandatory standards, mainly GHP andHACCP, as well as in non-mandatory standards, such as ISO22000, BRC, IFS and SQF, may be helpful in the managementof substances causing allergies or intolerances.

The rapid quantification of toxins in food and beverage products has become a significant issue in overcoming and preventing many life-threatening diseases. Aflatoxin-contaminated food is one of the reasons for primary liver cancer and induces some tumors and cancer types. Advancements in biosensors technology have brought out different analysis methods. Therefore, the sensing performance has been improved for agricultural and beverage industries or food control processes. Nanomaterials are widely used for the enhancement of sensing performance. The enzymes, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), antibodies, and aptamers can be used as biorecognition elements. The transducer part of the biosensor can be selected, such as optical, electrochemical, and mass-based. This review explains the classification of major types of aflatoxins, the importance of nanomaterials, electrochemical, optical biosensors, and QCM and their applications for the determination of aflatoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Disciplines Economics & Administrative Scienves Studies is the property of International Journal of Disciplines in Economics & Administrative Sciences Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Food processing is an indispensable sector crucial for controlling the food losses. Discrete measures were introduced and implemented to enhance the food shelf life and preservation techniques. However, poor handling and preservation methods usher to the food deprivation. In such milieu, amalgamation of futuristic technologies like sophisticated sensors tether with Internet of Things (IoT) could shoot up the food safety and minimize the deprivation. Research across the globe have proved that integration of IoT‐smart sensors in scrutinizing ecological factors such as temperature, radiation, gaseous composition, relative humidity, and moisture content that are critical for food processing and preservation. IoT has the prospects to ameliorate nationwide explicable execution, slash energy depletion, slash manufacturing expenses, inflate worker health and safety during food processing unit. Smart agricultural techniques also enable measurement of temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture, and nitrogen contents in smart farming and helps the user to determine the status of crops and commodity. This article aims to focus a few aspects and budding areas of IoT in the food and agricultural sectors. With this outlook, advancement and smartness in agriculture and food processing can be created by collaborating with IoT technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the efficiency of working capital management in small, medium and large enterprises of the food industry in Poland years in 2005- -2009. The efficiency of working capital management has been evaluated by using the in-ventory cycle, receivables, liabilities and cash conversion cycle and by its relation to rate of return on non-financial assets. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of working capital was differentiated by size of enterprises and in industries where working capital cycles are the shortest, a relatively higher rate of return on assets was achieved. In the national food industry the highest efficiency, measured by cash conversion cycle and assets profitability, was characteristic for large companies. The beneficial effect of shortening the cycle of working capital on the profitability of assets also verified the regression analysis.

The “quality turn” that the agri-food system has recently taken considers quality to be a complex notion that is defined both by the physical characteristics of the product and by changing socio-cultural factors. Convention theory provides a framework for assessing quality by means of various criteria, which correspond to different convention categories. Research that is based on this theory employs qualitative methods and case studies. In this article, a quantitative research methodology that addresses the conventions of the agri-food industry was carried out. Specifically, 19 mathematical indicators were constructed from statistical sources to identify and measure existing quality conventions in the wine subsector. These indicators have been tested in a study of 16 Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) inland Spain, with the following results: first, existing convention categories for each PDO were identified – industrial, commercial, domestic, public and civic – and a distinctive quality profile was developed for each one. Second, a ranking of PDOs was established according to their orientation to each convention type. The viability and utility of the quantitative methods in this quality convention study was demonstrated, thereby opening a research path that is complementary to qualitative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterizes the Andalusian economy as an extractive economy. First, we alalyze the historical conditions that shaped the dependent position of Andalusian capitalism and consolidated a productive structure based mainly on the extraction of resources from nature, such as in the agriculture and agri-food industries. Next, we study how the extractivist model in Andalusia operates in the 21st century by analyzing its basic features: the intensification of monocultures as agro-export platforms, the power of large distribution in value chains and the institutional drive toward second-degree cooperativism as a response. Among the main impacts of this model we highlight the impoverishment and loss of food sovereignty in the Andalusian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At this point in time, quality assurance schemes in the food industry and the agricultural sector are becoming increasingly popular. The International Food Standard (IFS) is one of the most important means of certification. This article presents the results of an empirical study in the German food industry. In early 2005, 65 food manufacturers answered an extensive questionnaire and gave insights into their perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of certification systems. The study focuses on the IFS, which has gained much relevance in the German food industry because all major German retailers have subscribed to the system and, for the most part, no longer accept suppliers that do not have IFS certificates. Three different groups were identified by using a cluster analysis, namely, the managers, the supporters, and the rejecters. These clusters show the different attitudes toward the IFS and are further specified in the following article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]