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Economic Performance of the Producers of Biomass for Energy Generation in the Context of National and European Policies—A Case Study of Poland

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  • Aneta Bełdycka-Bórawska

    (Department of Agrotechnology and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Rafał Wyszomierski

    (International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża, Studencka 19, 18-402 Łomża, Poland)

  • Piotr Bórawski

    (Department of Agrotechnology and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Paulina Trębska

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Solid biomass (agro-residue) is the most important source of renewable energy. The accelerating impacts of climate change and global population growth contribute to air pollution through the use of fossil fuels. These processes increase the demand for energy. The European Union has adopted a climate action plan to address the above challenges. The main aim of this study was to assess the economic performance of the producers of biomass for energy generation in Poland. The detailed objectives were to determine land resources in the studied agricultural farms and to determine the value of fixed and current assets in the analyzed farms. We used questionnaires as the main method to collect data. Purposive sampling was used to choose the farms. We conducted various tests to analyze the revenues from biomass sales and their normality, such as the Dornik–Hansen test, the Shapiro–Wilk test, the Liliefors test, and the Jargue–Berra statistical test. Moreover, we conducted regression analysis to find factors that are the basis for the economic performance (incomes) of farms that sell biomass. Results: This study demonstrated that biomass sales had a minor impact on the performance of agricultural farms, but they enabled farmers to maintain their position on the market. The economic analysis was carried out on a representative group of Polish agricultural farms, taking into account fixed and current assets, land use, production structure, and employment. The findings indicate that a higher income from biomass sales was generally associated with better economic results per farm and per employee, although not always per hectare of land. This suggests that capital intensity and strategic resource management play a crucial role in the profitability of bioenergy-oriented agricultural production. Conclusions: We concluded that biomass sales had a negligible influence on farm income. But a small income from biomass sales could affect a farm’s economic viability.

Suggested Citation

  • Aneta Bełdycka-Bórawska & Rafał Wyszomierski & Piotr Bórawski & Paulina Trębska, 2025. "Economic Performance of the Producers of Biomass for Energy Generation in the Context of National and European Policies—A Case Study of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-29, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:4042-:d:1712937
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