Export Performance and Competitiveness in Wood Products in the Czech Republic and Austria

Abstract

This article assesses the development of wood exports in the Czech Republic (Czechia) and Austria in recent years. Some approaches, such as revealed comparative advantage (RCA), relative trade balance index (RTB), and diversification ratios are used to assess the export performance and competitiveness indicators in these countries. The RCA result reveals that both Czechia and Austria have been competitive in the global wood markets, just as the countries have witnessed positive in RTB within the period under study. Market diversification results indicate that both countries concentrated in few markets (mainly within the EU single market) for exports of wood products. Also, the competitiveness based on the product structure shows that both countries, notably Austria wood product groups have been diversified and mostly processed before exports. In summary, both countries have performed impressively within the period under study even though the time series for the research was short. Nevertheless, there is a need for market export diversification beyond the EU's single market.