Profitability of dairy goat farms in Bulgaria

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to establish the economic performance of dairy goat farms in Bulgaria by using the indicator profitability and the related indicators – total production, total revenues, total costs and profit per doe (before and after subsidy). Data for 2022 were provided by the owners of 8 farms within the survey and processed using a mathematical-statistical model and Excel program. The adopted production system was semi-intensive with indoor winter period and grazing (supplemented with cereals and hay) during most of the year. Profit before subsidies was found positive only for farm 5, and all other holdings were unprofitable based on the results of their own production. When subsidies were added, some of them reported a positive financial result, while others remained loss-making. Based on the results found within the study, it could be summarized that in the dairy sector the level of milk production is the leading factor for farm income. Оf great importance are also the sale of value-added dairy products, own feed production and optimization of labour costs. In most farms, subsidies (incl. for pastures) are extremely important for the viability of the farms. In addition, when analyzing the economic efficiency of dairy goats, an individual approach to farms is necessary. All elements of the production system, both biological and economic, should be taken into account in order to improve production and profits.

Keywords

• dairy goat
• revenues
• costs
• profit
• profitability