Factors Limiting the Development of the Organic Food Sector—Perspective of Processors, Distributors, and Retailers
Hanna Górska-Warsewicz,
Sylwia Żakowska-Biemans,
Dagmara Stangierska,
Monika Świątkowska,
Agnieszka Bobola,
Julita Szlachciuk,
Maksymilian Czeczotko,
Karol Krajewski,
Ewa Świstak
Affiliations
Hanna Górska-Warsewicz
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Sylwia Żakowska-Biemans
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Dagmara Stangierska
Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Monika Świątkowska
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Agnieszka Bobola
Department of Tourism, Social Communication and Counselling, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Julita Szlachciuk
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Maksymilian Czeczotko
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Karol Krajewski
Institute of Technical Science, State Higher School of Eastern Europe in Przemyśl, 37-700 Przemyśl, Poland
Ewa Świstak
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Our study aimed to explore the factors limiting the development of the organic food sector in Poland from the perspective of processing, distributing, and retailing companies. We used a qualitative approach with in-depth semi-structured interviews with the management board representatives of 17 large- and medium-sized enterprises and the owners of 10 small and medium companies. The potential limiting factors, including legal, economic, technological, and environmental factors, were identified by reviewing the corporate and market reports of processing and retailing companies operating in the Polish organic sector. We used a thematic analysis recommended in the literature to analyze qualitative data. The main factors indicated by the managers were the legal concerns, limitations resulting from a lack of constant supply of organic raw materials, and increased competition on domestic and international markets. In addition, business activities in the Polish organic sector were affected by the instability of the financial situation in terms of financial liquidity, adequate cost, capital structure, and credits. The results of the study may be of value for policymakers to ensure sustainable development of the organic food sector in Poland.
