Production and economic efficiency in the cultivation of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) depending on the method of production – case study

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the production and economic efficiency of the cultivation of three strawberry varieties depending on the two cultivation methods used (organic and conventional). The research was conducted in 2018–2020 in eight horticultural farms cultivating strawberries for processing purposes in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The analysis of the production efficiency was based on the obtained levels of yields, while the analysis of the economic efficiency was carried out using selected measures, i.e. the production value, direct surplus, net income and the production profitability index. The research revealed that, generally higher yields in the analysed farms were obtained on plantations managed using the organic method than on those based on the conventional one. Moreover, irrespective of the production method, the highest yields were obtained in the first year and the lowest in the last year of harvests. Also irrespective of the production method, higher yields were obtained from the cultivation of the Dipred variety compared to the other varieties. The overall production costs, due to a significant share of labour and plant protection costs, were higher in the organic farms than in the conventional ones. In addition, the economic efficiency of organic crops was higher than or comparable to conventional ones, which was mainly influenced by higher fruit sales prices and higher yields.