The optimal size of the food and beverage industries and its changes during first years of the second, third and fourth development plan in Iran

Although food and beverage industry is considered as one of the relative merits of entering into international trade, because location and climate of Irans, but this industry has not been able to commensurate its worthy position in the world. Among the reason presented for this condition, the inability of active firms in this industry to produce with their full capacity is of great importance. Accordingly, the issue of optimal size especially for new firms awareness as well as the production capacities released is of the key issues explored in this industry and the investigation of its changes, makes up the main purpose of this paper. For this purpose, Comanor–Wilson index has been used. In addition, data is collected from the Statistical Center of Iran on early years of second, third and fourth development plans. The results of this paper indicate that the optimal size of the food and beverage industry based on both current and constant prices has shown an upward trend. In addition, in each study period more than 90 percent of firms in this industry are active in less than the amount of optimum size.