Sustainable Dairy Farming in the Visegrad Group Countries’ Regions: Linking Eco-Efficiency and Competitiveness

Eva Richterová, Martin Richter
Statistika, 106(2): 196–213
https://doi.org/10.54694/stat.2025.51

Abstract
This study evaluates regional eco-efficiency and market competitiveness in the dairy sector of the Visegrad Four (V4) regions – Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland – for 2015 and 2022. Eco-efficiency was assessed using input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with an undesirable output, assuming constant returns to scale, while competitiveness was measured with a composite Dairy Competitiveness Index based on economic and sectoral indicators. Results indicate that high environmental performance does not consistently align with market competitiveness, with only the Polish region PL92: Mazowiecki regionalny excelling in both dimensions. The research hypothesis – The eco-efficiency of a region ensures a higher level of outputs for given inputs, thereby increasing its competitiveness – was rejected. Four regional groups were identified – Leaders, Market-driven, Eco-driven, and Laggards – highlighting persistent structural differences across the V4. The findings provide evidence for designing region-specific policies that support sustainable, competitive, and resilient dairy systems.

Keywords
dairy eco-efficiency, competitiveness, V4 regions, interrelationship