VARIABILITY IN PRICES OF LAMB MEAT IN AUSTRIA AND POLAND

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to present the price volatility of lamb carcasses in Austria and Poland and an attempt to indicate existing regularities. The article presents prices of lamb carcasses obtained for heavy lambs (live weight 23-40 kg). The sources of materials are data from the European Commission and EUROSTAT. The research period covered the years 2007-2019. For the analysis and presentation of materials, descriptive, tabular, graphic methods, dynamics indices with a constant and variable basis, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation were used. In Austria, lamb meat prices were definitely higher than in Poland, but also more stable, both on an annual and monthly basis. Seasonal price fluctuations have occurred in both countries. The highest prices occurred in the winter months and the lowest in the summer. The reason was the seasonality of production and consumption. Changes in lamb carcass prices have followed the same direction as changes in the economy. In the case of population, negative correlations were found in Poland, which can be considered consistent with the laws of economics. In Austria, however, positive relationships were found for this parameter.