EN
The paper presents and discusses changes that have recently occurred in the dairy industry in Poland. These changes are presented under the framework of a structure-conduct-performance model, developed by industrial economics, and widely used for analyzing food industries. The model presents characteristics of milk production in Poland in recent years, and compares these to the major dairy regions in the World. The consumption of dairy products as well as the development of distribution chains is presented. Market structure is characterized by the characteristics of the dairy industry in Poland. The conduct section discusses the major activities undertaken by dairy companies during the transition period. Performance is characterized by selected financial factors. The model is completed with the description of public policy towards the dairy sector. Based upon the model, conclusions are drawn in the form of threats and opportunities for the future of the sector. The threats include fragmented structure of the entire chain from milk production to retailing, lack of specialization, lack of managerial and marketing skills, and lack of capital. The opportunities are a growing economy and rising consumer income, joining the European Union, increased foreign investment in the Polish dairy sector, concentration of the sector, and improving management and marketing skills.
PL
W artykule przedstawiono i przedyskutowano zmiany, jakie zaszły w sektorze mleczarskim w Polsce w ciągu ostatnich 10 lat, a zwłaszcza trendy dotyczące produkcji mleka, podaży i popytu oraz konsumpcji. W ostatniej części pracy zaprezentowano strukturą oraz analizę mocnych i słabych stron sektora mleczarskiego w Polsce, a także politykę rządu w odniesieniu do tego sektora.