ISHS Acta Horticulturae 633: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Protected Cultivation 2002: In Search of Structures, Systems and Plant Materials for Sustainable Greenhouse Production
ESTIMATION AND CALCULATION OF THE CONTRIBUTION MARGIN OF GREENHOUSE GROWN CUCUMBERS IN AUSTRIA |
| Authors: | M. Demerci, F. Chiappetta |
| Keywords: | contribution margin, cucumber, greenhouse, horticultural economics, marketing |
| Abstract:
Austrian greenhouse vegetable production is characterized by a high input of energy, high distribution and employment costs and high purchase prices for young plants. In the last few years, the costs of energy and employment have increased. This increase of costs has led to unprofitable production of greenhouse vegetables. A lack of understanding on how to calculate the contribution margin for cucumbers and other vegetables has confounded decision-makers. Additional aspects include changes in the operation and management of horticultural entities. To gain clarity about the current position, its significance and the increase of the efficiency of horticultural production (especially vegetable production) in the national economy, it has been indispensable to collect data about vegetable production in greenhouses in Austria. Ecological production, efficient use of energy and new technologies has led to an increase of the costs of vegetable production in the greenhouse (e.g. purchase and maintenance costs for new systems). However higher productivity per m2 has more than compensated for extra financial expenditures. As the purchasing power of the consumers is limited, interest in cheaper imported products has increased. Therefore, it is an important goal for Austrian vegetable producers to decrease production costs to enable them to sell their products at competitive prices. | |
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