Influencing Factors of the Export of Romanian Bee Products

Abstract

Current global policies are encouraging activities that determine the sustainable development of rural areas and the achievement of safe and high quality agri-food products. In this context, the present research aims to study the factors that influence the export of bee products which are consistent with the present tendency of consumers to purchase products that confer health benefits. The export of bee products is a process through which beekeepers seek opportunities for which there is demand in foreign markets and assume the risk of entering new markets in order to meet this demand. Following a survey conducted on a sample of 420 beekeepers from the North West Region of Romania, the results of the present research prove that the decision to export bee products is influenced by the following factors: the intention of setting up a firm, farm modernization, product diversification, collaboration, belonging to a group of producers, farm type and farm size. In addition, the paper shows that exports represent a strategy for the revitalization and transformation of the beekeeping sector as they imply finding market opportunities and promoting various and high quality bee products. The findings of the present study can assist beekeepers in their endeavor to formulate export strategies and succeed in international markets.