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The goal of the paper is to analyze the land use as cultivated area and grasslands for producing animal feed in Romania in the interval 2013-2022 utilizing the data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and Eurostat. The dynamics was highlighted as graphical trend lines, regression equations and R square, fixed basis and structural indices reflecting the changes across the time. The results showed that the surface with green forages in arable land was 847,978 ha in 2022 representing 10.59% of the total cultivated area and also reflected a reduction by 1.26% versus 2013. The perennial forages covered 675,207 ha in 2022 (+3.7% vs. 2013). Alfalfa accounted for a larger surface with a share of 62.52% in 2022(vs. 52.39% in 2013), while the clover area decreased its weight from 18.5% to 14.2%. In 2022, annual green forages covered 179,952 ha, by 13.35% less than in 2023. Fodder maize was cultivated on only 48,634 ha in 2022 (-13.36% vs. 2013) and root crops on only 3,033 ha, a surface smaller by 79.32% in 2022. The declined is justify by the negative influence of climate change which reduced forage production and also by the decreasing trend in livestock. Romania has also 5,172,800 ha grasslands, coming on the 3rd position in the EU after France and Germany. This area plays an important role in animal nutrition at a lower cost, in soil conservation, mitigating the effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity and the beauty of the landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to identify the main tendencies in raw silk trade at the global level and in the EU main producing and trading countries like China and India in Asia, and Italy, France, Romania, Germany and Spain in the EU. To attain this goal, the data referred to the last decade divided into two sub-periods 2013-2017 and 2018-2022 for allowing the comparison and quantification of the differences. The methodological procedures included the use of fixed basis indices, absolute and relative differences among sub-periods, comparison, trend regression equations and R square served as statistical tools to process the data from ITC and OEC World. The results pointed out the decline by 43.2% in world raw silk production which attained 91 thousand MT in 2022 vs 2013. The global raw silk export decreased from USD 3.12 Billion in 2013 to USD 1.91 Billion in 2022 (-38.8%), while the import went down by 38.8% from USD 2.41 Billion to USD 1.65 Billion (-31.54%). In consequence, trade balance remained positive at USD 0.26 Billion in 2022, but being 2.5 times smaller than in 2013. In the EU, in 2022, raw silk export was USD 0.46 Billion (-46.5% lower vs 2013), while import value attained USD 0.62 Billion (- 37.4% vs 2013), resulting a negative balance of - USD 0.16 Billion. China maintained its top position as a silk producer and exporter, with a positive trade balance, but negative in 2020-2022. The Asian competitors India, Uzbekistan and Vietnam increased production and their trade as well. The EU is a very important raw silk importer, so that its trade balance is negative (-USD 0.16 Billion in 2022). Italy is a remarkable top silk importer in the world, and France, Romania, Germany and Spain are also representatives. Silk textiles remain of high attraction for fashion industry, a reason to expect as production and commerce to flourish in the future, as in the EU is a new orientation to reduce the wastes caused by fast fashion based on synthetic fibers and to encourage the production of healthier and environment friendly natural fibers like silk which has to sustain fashion, textile and apparel industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the complexities and opportunities of agricultural value chains from international, European, and Romanian perspectives. Highlighting the importance of efficient value chain management, the exploration examines first the situation at the global level in the countries with a high economic development: USA, China, Germany, Japan and India, as a reflection on how global and regional policies impact agricultural production and distribution. Market dynamics of raw materials and high tech products and services in terms of export, import and trade balance was analyzed in the EU in the interval 2012-2022, based on Eurostat data, emphasizing its role in shaping value chains. The European lens focuses on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its implications for member states. The Romanian context highlights local challenges and strategies for integrating into broader value chains. From a methodological point of view, there were used various methods and procedures among which the main ones have been: descriptive context of the literature, trend dynamics in raw materials and high tech-products and services in terms of regression equation and R square, fixed basis index for showing the growth rate on the studied period, comparison method, illustrations in tabulated results and suggestive graphics. By analyzing case studies and current trends, the current research provide insights for enhancing economic efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in the agricultural sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to present a model of good practices in sustainable rural tourism in the mountain area of Romania, exemplifying a well known tourist village. from the Sibiu County. At the beginning, there were described the stage of development of rural tourism in the mountain commune named "Marginimea Sibiului", in terms of the structure of the tourist accommodation and public food units, touristic and anthropological objectives, the promotion of the tourist offer. Then, there were calculated and interpreted some indicators of the tourist circulation The second stage of the research analyzes the expectations of 360 tourists from a vacation spent in the tourist village of Gura Râului, the selected case study, as a model of good practices in sustainable rural tourism. The survey was carried out based on a structured questionnaire including 13 questions, which was utilized as a working tool. The respondents' answers were collected, summarized and then the data were statistically processed using Excel, v. 365 Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA. The results showed that Gura Râului becomes a more attractive destination for the rural tourism lovers and a real example of sustainable rural tourism to be followed by other mountain villages of Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the dynamics of raw silk production in the period 2011-2022 at the global level and in the top six producing countries using the official data and usual methods in such a research: fixed basis and structural indices, descriptive statistics, regression equations, coefficient of determination, correlations, absolute and relative differences, comparisons etc. The results showed that, at the global level, raw silk production accounted for 91,221 Metric tons in the year 2022 being by 30% smaller than in 2011. The top silk producing countries are China, India, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil. While in China, Thailand and Brazil production has substantially declined (- 52%, -33.5%, -23%), in India, Uzbekistan and Vietnam silk production increased by 58.6%, 116.7% and 113.4%. The share of all these six countries in the global production is 99.2%. In 2022, the highest weight belongs to China (54.8%) and India (40.1%). It is expected as silk production to raise taking into account that it is an eco and skin friendly product, and also a biodegradable product, while synthetic fibers are polluting. However, the high production cost, market price fluctuation and other restraining factors could affect small farmers dealing with sericiculture. For the developing countries, silkworm rearing and silk production sector is a profitable business which offer jobs, income, a better living standard, reducing poverty, hungry, gender discrimination, preserving biodiversity and conserving soil quality and contributing to the sustainable development in the rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyze the land use at the global level and in the European Union in the period, 2000-2021, in order to identify the changes and trend pointing out the status of agricultural land and by category of use. Fixed and structural indices and suggestive illustration were used to show the variations and trends for agricultural land, arable land, crop land and permanent meadows and pastures at the global level, for the top countries with the largest agricultural area and in the EU-27 by member states. The global agricultural land decreased, in 2021, being 4,787.5 Million ha, by 1.8% smaller. The world crop land increased to 1,579.8 Million ha in 2021, being by 5.7% larger. Of the global agricultural land, 33% is cropland and 67% permanent grasslands. The larger cropland is in Asia, Americas and Europe. The largest countries in cropland represent 39.3%, while the largest countries in grasslands 23.2%. About 40% of the EU's territory is represented by agricultural land and belongs to France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Finland, Italy, and Romania. The EU agricultural land decreased to 162,905.8 thousand ha, being by 10.83% smaller. Cropland declined by 9.4%, and permanent grasslands declined by 13.71%. Cropland accounts for 68%, while permanent grasslands for 32% in the EU. The EU keeps 3.4% of the global agricultural land, 7.01% of crop land and 1.62% of grasslands. In the most EU countries agricultural land declined. In the EU, it is a high concentration of agricultural land, but no concentration in arable land, cropland and permanent grasslands. The world agricultural land per capita declined from 0.24 ha in 2000 to 0.20 ha in 2021. The highest cropland per capita is in Oceania 0.77 ha, Europe 0.39 ha, Americas 0.37 ha, Africa 0.21 ha and Asia with only 0.13 ha. In the EU-27, the average is 36.56 ha agricultural land per capita. The expand of the agricultural land has to be stopped, as it is enough food to nourish the global population. New agro-eco technologies are called to increase crop yield and productivity to protect environment and biodiversity. The reduction in meat production and consumption will protect forests and cropland, and stopping deforestation will orient the people to a healthier and green diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is the analysis of the dynamics of tourist flow (domestic and inbound) in terms of tourist arrivals and overnight stays in Romania after the Covid-19 pandemic, using the statistical data provided by National Institute of Statistics. The methodology involved the calculation of the fixed and variable basis indices and the comparison of the level of each indicator from a year to another. Dynamics of the tourist arrivals and overnight stays involved to establish the trend using polynomial regression functions and determination coefficient. The results showed that the recovery of the tourist flow from its lowest level registered in 2020, the worst year of tourism during the pandemic, needed three years to attain a higher performance than in 2019, a year which was considered the peak in Romania's tourism. In 2023, the number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals accounted for 13,647.30 thousands, being 2.13 times higher than in 2020, and by 2.03% higher than in 2019. Also, the number of overnight stays reached 29,171.1 thousands, being 2 times higher than in 2020, by 7.8%higher than in 2022, but by 3.05% smaller than in 2019. The experience learnt in the travel and hospitality industry has generated a new resilience strategy to sustain the development of tourism and its contribution to GDP and better satisfy tourists demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism, as a form of spending free time, has undergone numerous transformations in the last period of time, this is due both to globalization that contributed to the internationalization of tourist experiences, but also to recent events (such as the Covid-19 pandemic, economic crises, etc), but also changing the perception of tourism consumers regarding how they can spend their free time. Traditional or well-known destinations have started to face overcrowding, which is starting to be felt negatively by both residents and visitors who are starting to change their consumption habits regarding the locations they choose as tourist destinations. On the other hand, the challenges of the modern world regarding the effects of global warming, the sharp increase in the population, the depletion of planetary resources, but also the much greater concerns of the current generations regarding these aspects, make the choices we make regarding the choice leisure destinations to change and become more responsible. In this context, creative tourism as an increasingly sought-after option, among a growing category of consumers. In this paper, we set out to analyze the perception that tourism consumers in Romania have regarding this form of tourism. The research assumed, on the one hand, a bibliographic analysis regarding the term creative tourism and how this notion has evolved from the moment of its definition as a form of tourism in the 2000s until now, as well as from a study of case based on the application of a questionnaire to measure the perception of consumers regarding this form of tourism, but especially on the awareness of its existence. The questionnaire had 16 questions answered by 124 respondents. The data were centralized and interpreted with the help of the Excel program, the results highlighting the fact that although some of the respondents practice creative tourism, it is quite little known as a concept. The answers given by the study participants highlighted the fact that they are interested in practicing activities integrated into creative tourism, considering that there are many advantages both regarding the experiences they create, with the interactions they establish with the locals or with the other participants. At the same time, the impact that creative tourism practices have at the local level (both economic and social) is recognized. We consider that these results are useful not only at the micro level, but also at the macro level, under the conditions that the development strategies of the field of hospitality will be thought in such a way as to promote, integrate and develop this form of contemporary tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent implementation of a 1% turnover tax on companies exceeding €50 million in annual turnover by the Romanian government aims to secure a minimum tax contribution from large corporations, a move that directly impacts those in the grain trade, where profit margins are well-known slimdue to the volatile nature of global market prices and fierce competition. The analysis conducted in this study highlights the financial dynamics of the last five years for the largest grain trading entities in Romania, such as Ameropa, Cargill, CHS, COFCO, and Viterra. The simulation of the 1% turnover tax reveals a dramatic increase in tax liabilities for these companies, with the projected tax payments under the new regime nearly equating to their combined gross profits of €196.96 million, a stark rise from the €32.32 million paid under the old profit tax system. This significant increase in tax burden underscores the potential risks and challenges facing the agricultural sector. For grain trading companies, the new tax could necessitate a re-evaluation of cost structures and operational efficiencies to maintain profitability. The study suggests that these companies may have to adjust their purchasing prices or seek other avenues to offset the increased fiscal demands, potentially affecting the entire supply chain, including Romanian farmers. Farmers, in turn, could see a reduction in their income and investment capacity due to lower purchase prices for their produce, complicating the financial sustainability of rural areas. Furthermore, the limited ability to pass on additional costs in the export market, given the competitiveness of global prices, could strain the sector's profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to set up a review of the scientific literature concerning the circular economy, called to become a viable alternative to the linear "take-make-dispose" approach and assure sustainability. It synthesizes, in a logical order, the main aspects regarding the circular economy versus linear economy and has a critical approach comparatively pointing out the benefits and restrains. The two economic models are illustrated in schemas in such a way to clearly distinguish the difference in their objectives, principles and benefits. Also, the study presents the key policies and initiatives of the circular economy, highlighting the EU's commitment and the metrics for measuring the circularity. Regarding the circular agriculture, it is emphasized the efficiency in resource use, recycling, and waste reduction, closed nutrient loops, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, food production and consumption, and the creation of economic value. Circular agriculture practices such as agroforestry, crop rotation, composting organic farming, and regenerative agriculture are also presented. Circularity in agriculture should cease to be seen merely as a concept, it should be considered a necessity for building a sustainable and resilient economy of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]