**5. Discussion and concluding remarks**

By using Pearson (rp) and Spearman (rs

**Source of variation**

22 Honey Analysis

Between groups

Within groups

**Paired samples test**

Pair 1 RCA\_SRB– RCA\_RO

Pair 2 RCA\_SRB– RCA\_IT

Pair 3 RCA\_RO– RCA\_IT

) test of correlation (**Table 13**), we have shown that

**(2-tailed)**

**Mean difference**

for Italy we have six pairs with strong correlation, at the level of *p* < .01 and .05 so we can conclude that the correlation exists and variables covariate. One pair showed negative correlation, which points to the fact that the increase in imports, that is, relative import advantage has negative effects upon revealed competitiveness. Test of connection of the Balassa index using Spearman formula shows that there is a correlation in five pairs with *p* < .01 and .05, so we can conclude that correlation exists and that the variables covariate. There is also a nega-

In our further research, we wanted to determine the value of importance of the difference between the comparative advantage indexes (RCA) for all three countries (**Table 14**). The variance analysis shows the following: the empirical *F* value is 62.554 and *p* = 7.32E−11, which

Results of further analysis show that there is statistically significant difference between the levels of comparative advantage of exports between Serbia and Italy and Romania and Italy (**Table 15**). If we consider that Serbia and Romania are producing surplus in international honey trade, while for Italy, imports are more important, then the empirical results prove the

> **Paired differences t df Sig. Mean Std. (2-tailed)**

.71500 1.40725 .44501 −.29168 1.72168 1.607 9 .143

3.37400 1.09891 .34751 2.58789 4.16011 9.709 9 .000

2.65900 .57922 .18317 2.24465 3.07335 14.517 9 .000

**95% confidence interval of the difference Lower Upper**

Total 76.86115 29 RCA IT −8.201 .000 −.62600

absence of the comparative advantage in honey exports in Italy.

**deviation**

**Table 15.** Paired samples test RCA index for Serbia, Romania and Italy.

**Std. error mean**

**Table 14.** ANOVA test RCA index for Serbia, Romania and Italy.

tive correlation with relative import advantage and revealed competitiveness (RC).

points to the fact that differences between the groups are statistically significant.

**SS df MS** *F p***-value** *F* **crit** *t* **(Dt = 9) Sig.** 

63.21794 2 31.60897 62.55435 7.32E−11 3.354131 RCA SRB 7.816 .000 2.74800

13.64321 27 0.505304 RCA RO 13.658 .000 2.03300

Research results point to a mild increase in world production. The production increase has positive consequences in the expansion of honey exports in some European Union countries. Honey trade and competitive patterns presented in previous tables (Sections 3 and 4) have shown clearly different trends and exchange structures in the three selected countries examined (Serbia, Romania and Italy). While Serbia and Romania are net exporter, with a positive trade balance, Italy is a net importer, with negative balance given the deficit of export compared to import. Romania and Serbia differ for the trade volume (import + export) that is about seven times bigger in Romania (on average 2006–2015). Romania has a growing market and a lot of opportunities for export. Nevertheless, even if Serbia has a smaller market, the low levels of import may suggest that domestic beekeeping industry is able to cover both internal and foreign demand (even if some other causes, like trade barriers, may have a role). Such surprising low impact of import is confirmed by previous analysis on honey consumers in Serbian regions. Ref. [20], in fact, suggest: "While researching consumer attitudes, we have come to the conclusion that the majority of consumers, as many as 83%, are willing to try Fruska Gora's lime honey that is of above average quality and is certified, regardless of the fact that lime honey does not belong to the type of honey which consumers buy. The reason for this lies in the fact that consumers prefer a high quality of honey because it is linked to better taste and better healing properties of honey, which is in line with the motivations of consumers. For such a quality and certified honey, consumers are willing to pay even a 30% higher price than the average market price of lime honey."

Apparently the opposite applies to Italy whose internal demand for honey is covered to a relevant extent by imports. This may be seen as a source of potential unexplored demand to be covered by Italian beekeepers. Both, Romania and Serbia have a high coverage of imports by exports and a positive comparative advantage of export. Such evidences are also confirmed by previous studies on competitiveness of Countries in the Danube regions. For example the study [23] concluded that "In the following commodity groups in Serbia an increase of positive comparative advantage is present: milk and products, except butter and cheese; butter and other fats from milk; dairy spreads, cheese and curd, products of cereals, flour, starch; vegetables, roots and tubers, processed; fruit prepared and products; sugar, molasses and honey; chocolate and other food preparations with cocoa". In another analysis [21] have been using D'Agostino and Pearson omnibus normality test showing that the Balassa index value distribution in Romania does not deviate significantly from normality (K2 = 2.46 and *p* = .29).

Romania is a net exporter of honey, well known at international level. The introduction of quality standards and the certification of honey will increase the prices of commercialised honey, mostly for the external market. Beekeepers should maintain the quality of honey by preserving the environment and the traditional practices. The production of organic honey is another sector that brings a comparative advantage for Romania and creates the possibility to develop a niche market. Anyway, Romania could represent a model of good practices for Serbia to improve the competitiveness of the beekeeping sector through innovation and associative forms [24–26].

Research has also shown that the majority of European Union countries imported honey. Italy is a net importer and has a large trade deficit in terms of value and volume, even if such gap is slightly declining. Italian beekeeping industry should take actions to recover market shares of domestic demand, developing more effective promotional activities towards consumers. The conclusion of the study reveals the fact that innovation through the whole value chain is one of the key factors for increasing competitiveness of honey production and trade. Interestingly, the results of the present analysis are also confirmed and mirrored by previous studies that point out the importance of honey quality improvement as an essential way to pursue both sector innovation and product promotion.
