PERSPECTIVE ON DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY IN THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT: THE CASE OF CROATIA

The aim of this paper is to get new insight into the perspectives of the Croatian food and beverage industry development in the international environment. Methodology of the paper is based on applying input-output model and standardized indicators of export competitiveness. Comparison of gross value added, productivity and factor income with EU countries points to Croatia’s lagging in relation to EU-15 countries. At the same time, in comparison with the new EU member states (transition countries), the Croatian food industry manages to maintain competitive production. Among analysed markets, Croatian food industry has the best position on the CEFTA market. At the same time, comparative advantages and competitive positions in relatively rapidly growing markets are relatively weak. A growth in global consumption of foodstuffs opens up space for diversification of the export structure and strengthening of competitiveness in the less represented markets. Perspectives on the development of the food and beverage industry in Croatia are being recognized in the continuation growth of export orientation, greater representation in fastgrowing markets, increased food consumption, investment in innovation and development of new products, and investments in the development of new markets.