The analysis of vegetable and fruit export competitiveness of the Republic of Srpska

Abstract

The aim of this research is an analysis of the Republic of Srpska's export competitiveness in vegetables and fruit on international markets. Two main evaluation indices were used, namely the trade competitiveness (TC) index and the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index to measure and analyze the international position of vegetables and fruit during 2015 – 2022. Both indicators were calculated based on statistical data on foreign trade in vegetables and fruit between the Republic of Srpska and the world, EU, and CEFTA countries, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Vegetables and fruit participate with 7.17% and 15.41% in the total export of the Republic of Srpska’s agri–food sector. Analysis of the export structure of this sector showed an average share of vegetables and fruit of 12.04% and 9.43% in the EU market, i.e., 1.63% and 9.65% in the CEFTA market. The results indicate strong export competitiveness of the Republic of Srpska in vegetables concerning the world and EU markets, but weak export competitiveness in relation with the CEFTA countries. The Republic of Srpska recorded strong export competitiveness in fruit on the world and CEFTA market, while poor export competitiveness in the EU market. Within these two product groups on the world market, cucumbers, apples, pears, and plums achieved strong export competitiveness. Cucumbers and plums were two leading products regarding strong export competitiveness On the EU market, while apples and pears were on the CEFTA market. Considering the favourable agroecological conditions for the production of vegetables and fruit, the Republic of Srpska should continue to promote production and foreign trade in these traditional products and improve their competitiveness on international markets.