Profitability Of Production Of Red Sweet Peppers (Capsicum Annuum L.) In Cultivation Under Cover

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the value of production, labour and capital expenditure in the production of red sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in selected horticultural farms. The study covered farms involved in the production of sweet peppers in unheated plastic tunnels in the poviat of Przysucha and Radom. The selection of farms was purposeful. The selection was based on the technical solutions used on the farms in the field of construction of plastic tunnels and farm size. The study was carried out in three growing seasons in 2017-2018. The obtained results indicated that the largest share in total costs were the costs of purchasing planting material and fluctuated within 29.5% of total costs. The average production value of red sweet pepper production under covers in tunnels with a wooden structure amounted to 3,116 PLN/240 m2 , while in the case of metal structures, this value amounted to 3,449.20 PLN/240 m2 . In addition, analysis of the Cobb-Douglas production function showed that the gross profit was affected by general costs, labor costs and costs of purchasing seedlings. The results of this study indicate a need to undertake further research on this topic to formulate recommendations aimed at optimizing paprika production to increase and stabilize income resulting from cultivation activity.