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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 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 paper aims to present models of agricultural production optimization as tools for managers to increase yield, crop structure, crop rotation, increased efficiency and profitability. The two optimization models are: Case 1: Optimization of yield depending on wheat price and subsidy for increasing net return and profitability in wheat culture; Case 2: Optimal model for optimizing crop rotation in cereal culture with maximum income, having two solutions: (a) Basic optimal primal solution and (b) Basic optimal dual solution. The methodology included the calculations regarding the specific indicators reflecting the economic efficiency in wheat cropping for Case 1 and determination of the optimal primal and dual solutions assisted by SOLVER application from MS Excel for Case 2. The two examples come from vegetal farming but, other models of optimization could be developed in animal production for improving livestock structure by species and category and also in animal feeding setting up optimized feed ratios to sustain production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to identify the main aspects of digitalization in the EU and Romania at present, in general, and emphasizing on agriculture, because in this sector has a deep impact on infrastructure and work resources. The EU average for DESI index quantifying digital economy performance was compared with the index in the member states to show the differences in the performance of the digital economy. The aspects related to the impact of digitalization in agriculture from many points of view, but mainly on human resources have also been highlighted. Index scores differ from one country to another and reflect the performance result of the efforts that each member state has made to implement digital economy. The higher the index value, the higher the digital economy performance in that country. During the period 2017-2022, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden have maintained their top position in the EU, while Romania and Bulgaria are situated on the last places. Romania should be focused on the improvement of digital infrastructure, promotion of digital competences, innovation and entrepreneurship in order to increase its performance in digital economy. Major efforts should be done to improve connectivity, educational programmes in digital competences and to develop a favourable business environment for contributing to its digital transformation and integration into the EU digital unique market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucrarea a avut ca scop efectuarea unei comparaţii privind profitabilitatea la cultura de grâu şi porumb, folosind drept termeni de referinţă marja bruta si profitul. In acest scop, datele au fost colectate pentru anul 2010 din 2 ferme vegetale care dispun de dotări tehnice similare, practica aceleaşi tehnologii de cultură în sistem neirigat în condiţiile pedoclimatice din zona de Sud a Romaniei. Ferma 1 a realizat o producţie medie la unitatea de suprafaţă de 4.000 kg la grâu şi 5.500 kg la porumb, iar Ferma 2: 4.000 kg la grâu şi 4.200 kg la porumb. Pentru ambele ferme s-au determinat: produsul brut, cheltuielile variabile per total şi pe elemente de cost, cheltuielile fixe per total şi pe elemente de cost, cheltuielile totale de producţie la hectar. Marja bruta, profitul brut şi net s-au determinat în doua variante: Varianta A – cu subvenţii şi Varianta B - fară subvenţii. Ferma care a realizat rezultate superioare a fost Ferma 2, unde rata profitului net a fost 45,61% la grâu şi 92,49% la porumb, fată de 17,72% pentru grâu şi 75,97% la porumb in cazul Fermei 1. Rezultatele au arătat că cea mai profitabilă cultură este porumbul, care asigură o marjă bruta şi profit mai mare la unitatea de suprafaţă. In perspectivă, fermierii trebuie să optimizeze structura culturilor cerealiere pentru a mari eficienţa economică în producţia vegetală.

The paper analyzed the dynamics of cultivated area, production and yield in vegetal sector of Romania's agriculture in the period 2007-2020 and also in the decade 2014-2020 versus 2007-2013 in order to quantify the effects of the implemented agricultural strategy aligned to the EU CAP. The data from National Institute of Statistics were processed using fixed basis indices, structural indices, growth rate, mean, regression models, R square and comparisons between the two decades. In 2020, Romania had 8,263,672 ha cultivated by +6.25% more than in 2007. Crop structure included: cereals 64.6%, oil plants 20.3%, vegetables 2.4%, leguminous plants 1.3% and 1% potatoes. The area cultivated with cereals raised by +4.07% reaching 5,338,067 ha in 2020, of which maize and wheat 87.9%. In the decade 2014-2020 versus 2007-2013, it was registered a larger total cultivated area and also with cereals (wheat and maize), leguminous crops, oil crops (sunflower), but a reduced area with vegetables and potatoes. Cereals production increased by +132.29% accounting for 18,153,714 tons in 2020, of which maize 55.61% and wheat 35.2%. In the period 2007-2020, important production gains were carried out in leguminous grains, oil seeds, fruits and vegetables, but potatoes production declined by -49.63%. In the period 2014-2020 versus 2007-2013, production gains were registered in cereals, wheat, maize, leguminous grains, in oil seeds, sunflower seeds and fruits, but losses by -4.14% in vegetables and -21.26% in potatoes. In 2020 versus 2007, yield level was accounted for 3,400 kg/ha cereals (+123.24%), 2,966 kg/ha wheat (+92.47%), 3,977 kg/ha maize (+160.61%), 1,858 kg/ha sunflower seeds (+184.09%), 15,843 kg/ha potatoes (+15.95%), 21,858 kg/ha tomatoes (+57.07%). In the period 2014-2020 versus 2007-2013, yield gain accounted for: +50.08% cereals grains, +44.7% wheat, +54.18% maize, +61.5% sunflower seeds, +13.13% potatoes and +12.83% tomatoes. In conclusion, the implementation of Romania's strategy of agriculture development in the vegetal sector aligned to CAP has resulted in higher productions and yields of the analyzed groups of crops, except potatoes production which declined by about 50% in 2020 compared to 2007, and also, in the 2nd decade 2024-2020 versus 2007-2013, it was registered a decrease by -4.14% in vegetables and by -21.26% in potatoes, which is justified by the decline in cultivated area. This performance is due to the efforts made by farmers to obtain better results in their business and to the financial support given by the EU and Romanian Government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the concentration degree of standard output (SO) and number of agricultural holdings (AH) in the EU countries in the year 2020 by economic dimension in terms of standard output size class. The data collected from Eurostat were used to calculate Gini-Struck coefficient according to which the countries were classified. The EU has a moderate concentration both concerning SO (GSC = 0.3938) and AH (GSC = 0.3276) by SO class. Discrepancies were noticed referred to these two indicators in the member states. Regarding SO, GSC varied between 0.7941 in Denmark and 0.1597 in Romania. Six countries (22.3%) have a low concentration, 12 countries (44.4%) have a moderate concentration and 9 countries 9933.3%) have a high level. 13 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Luxemburg, Sweden, Estonia, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, Slovakia, Netherlands, Czechia and Denmark exceeds the EU GSC= = 0.3938. Regarding AH, GSC values ranged from 0.1204 in Denmark and 0.7004 in Romania. A number of 17 countries (63%) registered a low concentration level of the number of farms by SO class, other 9 countries (33.3%) recorded a moderate concentration and one country, Romania (2.7%) had the top position with the highest concentration of the number of farms. Taking into consideration GSC values both for Standard output and number of farms by SO class, it was found that 8 countries (29.3%) have a high concentration of SO and a low concentration of AH; 7 countries (25.9%) have a moderate concentration of SO and a low concentration of AH; 5 countries (18.5%) have a moderate concentration of SO and a moderate concentration of AH, all these three categories summing 73.7%. As a final conclusion, the concentration of standard output by SO class is a moderate one in 44.4% of the EU countries and in 33% is a high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aimed to analyze utilized agricultural area (UAA), number of agricultural holdings (NAH), average holding size (AHS), standard output per holding (SOH) in Romania and other EU countries with large UAA in the period 2005-2020 using the data from Eurostat and National Institute of Statistics in order to identify the trends and actual situation. Fixed basis indices, regression equations, R square, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Gini Struck Coefficient(GSC), structural indices, comparisons with the EU average and among the selected EU countries: Romania, Poland, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, United Kingdom were used as processing methods for reflecting the changes farmland and farm structures. In 2020, Romania had 12,763 thousand ha UAA, representing 7.6% of the EU's UAA and coming on the 6th position, after France, Spain, Germany, Poland and Italy. In 2020, Romania had 2.88 million AH and together with Poland, Italy, Spain, France and Germany, had 6.89 million AH (75.7% of the EU's 9.1 million NAH). The farms smaller than 5 ha represent: 90.3% in Romania, 64.1% in Italy, 52.3% in Poland, 51.6% in Spain, 19.6% in France and 8.2% in Germany, while the farms with 50 ha and over account for 7.5% at the EU level, 1% in Romania, 3.1% in Poland, 4.5% in Italy, 11.6% in Spain, 31.5% in Germany and 45.9% in France. To the EU's SO, all these six countries contribute by 71% to the EU's SO. In the EU, less than Euro 2,000 SO was produced by 35.7% farms, while Euro 50,000 and over was achieved by 12.9% farms. In Romania, 71.5% farms produce less than Euro2,000, while 0.9% achieve Euro 50,000 and over. Regarding the concentration of farms by SO size class, HHI and GSC reflected a high concentration in Romania, relatively moderate at the EU level, moderate in Poland and Italy, and a lack of concentration in Spain, France and Germany. The SO/AH in Romania was Euro 4,029, compared to Euro 38,703 at the EU level, Euro 19,680 in Poland, Euro 57,681 in Italy, Euro 44,124 in Spain, Euro 158,430 in France and Euro 167,631 in Germany. As a final conclusion, the gaps among these countries are caused by the unbalanced farm structure with the highest share belonging to the farms with less than 2 ha. Farms with 50 ha and over could assure a higher SO/farm. To diminish NAH and grow AHS has to continue for increasing the economic power in terms of standard output. Small and medium-sized farms have to be sustained to join their efforts for a higher concentration of land, production and economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper purpose was to assess the impact of climate change on wheat, maize and sunflower yield in the period 2017-2021, using statistical data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and National Administration of Meteorology (NAM) and other sources. Comparison method was used to evaluate the deviations between the registered air temperatures and precipitations and the 1981-2010 climatological norm. Graphic method reflected the dynamics of monthly air temperatures and rainfalls in each year. Descriptive statistics for mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation reflected an more comprehensive image upon air temperature, precipitations and yield. Correlations and regression equations were used to establish the intensity of the kinks between climate factors and yield. The highest average air temperature In Romania was 12.130C in 2019. In the period 2017-2020, the average annual temperatures exceeded the climatological norm 1981-2010 accounting for 9.10C. The lowest rainfalls, 614.2 mm, were recorded in 2019, being below of 633.1 mm the norm for the period 1981-2010. The high temperatures associated with drought and low precipitations have deeply affected yield of many agricultural crops, including maize, wheat and sunflower. The highest wheat yield 4,888 kg/ha was achieved in 2017, and the lowest one, 2,966 kg/ha in 2020. Maize registered the highest performance of 7,644 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 3,977 kg/ha in 2020. Sunflower carried out the high performance 3,041 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 1,858 kg/ha in 2020. The worst agricultural years for these three crops was 2020, but 2017 favored wheat, while 2018 favored maize and sunflower. The correlation coefficient had in general small values between average temperature and yield, but a higher link with precipitations level. The multiple correlation between yield, air temperatures and precipitations was: r= 0.817 for wheat, r = 0.116 for maize and r = 0.504 for sunflower. In the South Eastern Dobrogea, the driest area in Romania, the rainfalls declined by 65% in the period 2018-2020 having a deep negative impact on sunflower seeds yield, which decreased from 4,282 kg/ha in 2018, to 1,503 kg/ha in 2020. The correlation between precipitations and sunflower yield positive and very strong (r = 0.737). As a conclusion, the climate conditions should be analyzed in each farm and farmers have to take measure to adapt the technologies for sustaining production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed rural population, rural working age population, civil population occupied in agriculture and agricultural output value using the data from National Institute of Statistics for the period 2008-2020. Trend line, regression equations, coefficient of determination, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient represented the methodological means for processing the data. Romania had still a high labour resource accounting for 6.23 million persons in 2020, by 10% more than in 2008. In the period 2008-2020, the population able to work declined in almost all the regions, except North East and Bucharest Ilfov, but, the rural population having the age to work increased in various proportions in all the regions. However, civil population occupied in agriculture declined by - 30% from 2,407 thousand persons in 2008 to 1,681 thousand persons in 2020. Population aging and migration are the main causes of this decrease. The decline in the territory ranged between -31.3% in North East and -25% in Bucharest-Ilfov. Agricultural production value increased by +21.6% from Ron 66,993 Million in 2008 to Ron 81,400 Million in 2020. In 2020, the highest agricultural output value was achieved in South Muntenia, North East, North West, South West Oltenia, South East. Analyzing the linear dependency between the ranks of civil population occupied in agriculture and agricultural output value, we noticed that in 2008, it was not found such a connection, as Spearman's correlation coefficient was rS = 0.1004, tcrit 6;0.05 was 1,943 and RI = 0.4748 < 0.1943. However, in 2020, between the ranks of the two studied indicators was found a linear dependency reflected by rS = 0.739, RI = 2.26, tcrit 6;0.05 was 1,943, therefore RI > tcrit. As a final conclusion, while the population occupied in agriculture decreases, agricultural production value increases due to the decline in civil population occupied in this economic sector caused by aging and migration, increased performance in agricultural production, grace to technological progress and a better farm management, price volatility for agricultural products, financial support according to the CAP of the EU and Romania's Government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the use of pesticides in Romania in the period 2007-2020, based on the official statistical data by type of pesticide, at the national and territorial level, and using fixed and structural indices, concentration indices and time and spatial comparisons. In the year 2020, pesticides were applied on larger surfaces than in 2007 and they accounted for 3.88 million ha for herbicides, 2.39 million ha for fungicides, and 2.34 million ha for insecticides. But, the total consumption decreased by 26% for insecticides and by 23% for herbicides, but it increased by 8.2% in case of fungicides. The national mean consumption of pesticides per ha declined and in 2020 accounted for 0.27 kg a.s. insecticide, 0.75 kg herbicide and 0.76 kg fungicide. Romania comes on the last position in the EU for the smallest average consumption 0.8 kg a.s. pesticide per ha and also for the risk indicator 1 equal to 48. The largest areas where pesticides are applied in the territory are in South Muntenia, West, South East and South West Oltenia micro-regions. Total consumption differs from a region to another as follows: insecticides are much more consumed in South West Oltenia, South Muntenia, North East, South East and West, fungicides are especially applied in South East, North East, Center and West, and herbicides are predominantly utilized in North East, South East, North West, South West Oltenia, and West. The average consumption per ha, over the national mean, is higher in the following regions: insecticides in North West, South West Oltenia, Center and North West, fungicides in the Center, Bucharest-Ilfov, South East and North East and herbicides in North East, North West and Center regions. The values of the concentration indices Herfindahl-Hirschman, Gini-Struck and Concentration coefficient proved that in 2020, Romania was characterized by a relative moderate concentration of the use of pesticides. As a conclusion, pesticides have to be used taking into consideration the local conditions at the regional level and at farm level. Farmers have to evaluate the problems and make the best decision regarding what type of pesticide to use, on what surface, which is the suitable dose per ha, how many treatments are required etc. The EU regulations regarding pesticides imposes a strict control and use of the approved pesticides for compiling with the European the Green Deal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed labor productivity in Romania's agriculture in the period 2011-2020 and established the forecast for 2021-2025 horizon using the Eurostat data. The processing procedures included fixed basis index, average growth rate, average annual growth, regression models, determination coefficient, descriptive statistics (mean standard deviation and variation coefficient), comparison methods and forecast modeling. The results proved that agriculture productivity is increasing with a lower growth rate, being deeply influenced on output value, gross value added and labour input. Per 1,000 AWU, agricultural output value decreased by 6.77%, gross value added increased by 12.47% and factor income raised by 20.65%. However, for its level of output value and GVA, Romania comes on the last position and for factor income level it comes on the 15th position in the EU. For agriculture development, labour productivity must be increased paying attention to the key determinants: farm structure and size, labour input, technical endowment, and investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the efficiency of labor force input in the EU using the most representative indicators: agricultural production and gross value added per 1,000 AWU and also of Factor A in the decade 2011-2020. The applied methodology included fixed basis index in 2020 vs 2011, average annual growth rate in the interval, and market share. In the period 2011-2020, the EU agricultural output value and gross value added have definitely increased, accounting for Euro 411.77 Billion and, respectively, Euro 176,96 Billion in 2020, while labour input continued to decline reaching an employment rate of 4.37%. In 2020, the EU agricultural output value per 1,000 AWU accounted for Euro 60 Million while GVA for Euro 20.83 Million. While Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Sweden, France are in the top compared to the EU average for agricultural output per AWU, Latvia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Poland, Croatia and Romania are situate in the opposite corner. Compared to the EU average of Euro 20.83 Million for GVA/1,000 AWU, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany are on the top positions, while Bulgaria, Latvia, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland and Romania are on the last positions. Indicator A or Factor income reached 124% in 2020 being by 24% higher than in 2010. The highest Indicator A belongs to Bulgaria and Hungary, while the lowest one to Germany, Austria, Finland, Netherlands and Belgium. In conclusion, the efficiency of the use of labour force differs from an EU member state to another depending on its efforts to increase net gross value and decrease labour input. Only the growth of agricultural output, the optimization of intermediate consumption, the raise of net GVA, the decline in labor input but using only a high qualified, conscious, responsible, workable labor force and taking measures to face the climate change, the EU could grow the labour productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the features of work and work force in the EU agriculture and identify the changes regarding the number of working persons, number of farmers, type of work, utilized agricultural land, standard output, and age, gender, education level structure, based on the data provided by Eurostat. The authors made a comprehensive approach of the main aspects concerning labor force as a reflection of the EU policy measures. The main indicators were described and classified according to the type of work: family work and non family work, pointing out that the EU agriculture is running mainly in family farms of a small size, in which the activity is done both by the farmer and his family members. Family farms represent 95.2% of the total number of farms. They work 62.2% of the total utilized agricultural land and contribute by 59.5% to agricultural output. The higher the average farm size, the higher the average regular work force and the higher average standard output per farm and year. The farmers' ageing and workers' migration led to the decline of labor force in agriculture but to the growth of farms size and productivity. Training level of the most of working persons in agriculture is still low. The new technologies, the challenges created by climate change, the need of environment protection and biodiversity and landscapes preservation in the rural areas claims as farmers to become the main "actors" of the rural communities. Farmers have to be highly trained with entrepreneurial and technological knowledge and skills to be able to continue the sustainable development of agriculture in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed price elasticity of production for short run for wheat, maize, sunflower, milk, pork, beef and honey in Romania and in its eight micro-regions in the period 2016-2018. Elasticity coefficients were determined using Cook's formula. At Romania's level, the price growth by 1% will determine the increase of output for wheat, maize, milk, and pork, but lower than price growth rate. Considering that other factors of influence are constant, the growth of the acquisition price will favor the increase of production in the territory of Romania as follows: for wheat in NW, SE, Bucharest Ilfov and S W Oltenia micro-regions; for maize in almost all the micro-regions except Bucharest-Ilfov and West; for sunflower in BIF and SW Oltenia; for pork, in the Center, SE, S Muntenia, SW Oltenia and West regions; for beef only in NW and NE regions; for milk in NW and S Muntenia; for honey in the Center, NE, S Muntenia, and SW Oltenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the efficiency of the utilization of the agricultural land in the EU-28 and in each country based on a system of specific indicators, among which the most important ones have been the agricultural production and gross value added per ha of utilized agricultural land. The data provided by Eurostat were processed establishing the average level in the decade 2009-2018 both at the EU and every country level. The comparison among countries was based on the EU-mean resulting in this interval. The results proved that 71.46 % (128.55 Mil. ha) of the EU-28 agricultural land is used by France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Romania and Italy. About 77.58% of the EU agricultural output is produced by France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland and Romania. The highest agricultural output per ha of used area was achieved by Malta, Cyprus, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Luxemburg, Slovenia, Austria and France. About 86.65 % (Euro Bil. 144.72) gross value added is produced in agriculture by Italy, France, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Greece and Hungary. Only Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Romania and Malta exceeds 40.95 %, the EU-28 average share of gross value added in the value of agricultural output. The EU achieved Euro 671.1 per ha of utilized land and 15 member states are able to exceed it (Malta, Netherlands, Cyprus, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Slovenia, France, Luxemburg, Croatia and Portugal). As a conclusion, taking into account the two indicators: agricultural output and gross value added per ha of utilized area, the countries with the highest economic efficiency of land use are Malta, Cyprus, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Greece, Slovenia, Luxemburg, France, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal and Croatia. To make land use more efficient in agriculture, farmers have to optimize the combination of production factors in order to grow agricultural production and gross value added per ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper was to analyze the trends and correlations in Romania's agro-food trade in the period 2007- 2016 based on the data supplied by the National Institute of Statistics. The statistical parameters of mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, growth rate, trend line, regression model, Pearson correlation coefficient have been used in this study. The export value of agro-food products reached Euro 6.06 billion, while the import value of agro-food products accounted for Euro 6.78 billion in the year 2016. Despite that both export and import value increased, Romania is still a net exporting country. The year 2013 and 2014 registered a positive trade balance. The economic efficiency in Romania's agro-food foreign trade has increased. This was proved by the growth of the share of the agro-food products export in Romania's export value, and by the share of export value in the GDP carried out in agriculture as well as in terms of export/import coverage rate. Romanian producers must continue to pay a special attention to the factors stimulating the growth of the agricultural production and improve the quality of agro-food products in order to cover better the requirements of the domestic and also of the international market, leading to a positive trade balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper goal was to analyze the technical endowment in terms of machinery in Romania's agriculture in the period 2007-2015 and to identify the main trends and problems which affect performance and competitiveness. In the analyzed period, the park of tractors and machinery increased as follows: tractors by 14.5%, ploughs by 13.9%, cultivators by 11.3%, seeders by 14.6%, combines for cereals by 11.4 and for fodder by 17%, machines for potatoes harvesting by 43.5%, presses for hay and straw by 121.7%, only windrowers and sprayers and dusters declined by 1.2%, respectively, by 2.6%. Despite this slight increase, the structure of agricultural machinery is still an uncorresponding one for keeping pace with new technologies. The utilized agricultural area (UAA) increased and as a result the UAA per tractor declined from 44.5 ha to 41.3, which is also a good aspect. Despite that agricultural production increase, its performance is not supported by mechanization mainly in the small sized holdings. The replacement of the existing old machinery with a high usage degree, whose repairs are costing, is obviously needed and requires substantial financial resources. the continuous growth of farm inputs price and the low price at farm gate for agricultural products do not assure farmers enough income to modernize mechanization. The Romanian Government should allocate a higher percentage from budget to agriculture for improving the park of tractors and agricultural machinery. Also, the financial aid per ha coming from the EU should be equitably divided among member states. Farmers need a better endowment in their farms to apply modern technologies and increase production, quality of agricultural products, economic efficiency and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is a sector of primary importance in Romania, both through its contribution to the economy and the share of employment. Its continuous development and improvement and the countryside must be designed and analyzed under three main aspects, namely agriculture, food and environment. The current analysis takes into account the state of Romanian agriculture today, but also economic and human potential of rural areas in the main areas of development, and their evolution in 2008-2013. The rural space in Romania is characterized by poor economic diversification and a major dependence on agricultural activities, which results in obtaining low incomes for farmers. The rural labour force should be directed to other activities, particularly in services, based on a correct and permanent information, human resource awareness and training. The rural employment strategies include measures to improve the quality of human resources to facilitate access to non-agricultural employment in connection with labour market needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the EU-27 population by means of the following indicators: population structure by origin, age, gender, training level, income in member states, emphasizing Romania's position among other countries. In the EU-27 there large differences regarding rural and agricultural population. The main trend is the reduction of agricultural population, but there are countries where it is increasing and states where it is declining. Despite at EU level 5 % of its 504 million inhabitants are working in agriculture, there are states with a higher percentage of agricultural workforce and also with a lower labor percentage. Rural population aging and decreasing number, migration to cities, relatively low training level, gender discrepances from a country to another, low income per annual working income mainly in the 12 countries which joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 below the EU average income are the major features of the EU-27 agricultural labor. Romania has the highest agricultural population working in small sized farms and the lowest income per farmer below Euro 2,000. The gap beween the EU and Romania could be diminished by training, high technologies, implementation of associative forms in agriculture destined to grow up productivity and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the EU-27 position in the world grape production based on the data collected from FAO Stat data base for the period 2000-2008, using the index and share methods. The EU-27 is the most important vine cultivator and grape producer in the world. With its 3.5 million ha planted with vine, it accounts for 90.21 % of Europe's area of vineyards and 48.14 % of the world vine area. In 2008, the EU-27 produced 25.1 million tones grapes placing it on the top position and contributing by 41.56 % to the world production. The top European countries: Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Romania achieved 21.8 million tones grapes, representing 86.98 % of the EU-27 and 32.96 % of the world grape production. Italy, Spain and France are among the top 10 grape producers in the world. As a conclusion, even thou the EU-27 planted area decreased by 8.24 % and its grape production declined by 16.16 %, the EU-27 continues to remain the main grape producer in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the development of organic agriculture in the world, the EU and Romania, based on the statistical data for the period 2006-2010 and the index, share and comparison methods. Organic agriculture covers 34.04 Million ha at world level, of which 26.99 % in Europe and 32.08 % in Oceania. The largest areas in organic agriculture are in Australia, Argentina, the USA, Brazil, Spain, China and Italy. At world level, there are 1.6 million organic producers, over 63 % operating in Africa and Asia, especially in India, Uganda and Mexico. In 2010, organic food sales accounted for Euro 44.5 Billions of which 50 % in Europe. In the same year, the organic agriculture area increased by 20 % in the EU-27 and reached 9.01 million ha and continues to grow, representing 5.10 % of agricultural land. The larges areas in organic agriculture are in Spain, Italy, Germany and France. In the EU-27 there are 219,290 organic producers of which 40 % in Italy, Spain, Germany and Austria. In 2010, Romania's area in organic agriculture was 300,205 ha, 2 times higher than in 2006. A number of 10,253 organic operators were registered in 2010, representing 4.67 %, of the EU number. The main organic products are cereals, vegetables, wine, honey, dairy products, representing a chance for Romania's export on the EU market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to study the influence of two cultivars: Crisby and Karistan, with a different maturation length, upon economic efficiency in watermelon growing in an experiment running on sandy soils at SC Casa Pepenilor Verzi SRL Dabuleni, Dolj County, Romania in the year 2011.The experience was organized on 1.25 ha divided into 2 plots: V1-cultivated with Crisby F1 cultivar, an extra-early type and V2-cultivated with Karistan cultivar, a tardy type. The main economic indicators followed in the experiment have been the following ones: watermelon yield, production cost, income, profit, profit rate and gross margin. Crisby cultivar produced 30 t fruit per ha, starting from the 1st part of June when the selling price was Lei 1.2/kg and assured Lei 22,611 profit/ha. Karistan cultivar generated 70 t fruit per surface unit beginning from the 2nd part of July when the selling price was Lei 0.3/kg and produced Lei 6,051 profit per ha. As a conclusion, the use of an extra-early cultivar could assure a more efficient watermelon growing because fruit could be delivered earlier in the market covering in a better way consumer's demand and increasing producers' income and profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the evolution of watermelon market and melon market in Romania in order to identify the main trends in the period 1990-2009 based on statistical data and using the specific indicators such as: cultivated area, yield and production, consumption, trade and price. Despite that the cultivated area remained relatively constant at about 33.5 thou ha, watermelon and melon yield increased by 73.36 % from 11.2 tons/ha in 1990 to 19.5 tones /ha in 2009. As a result, total production reached 652.8 thou tons in 2009, being by 71.06 % higher than in 1990. The main trends identified in watermelon and melon production and market in Romania are the following ones: a constant cultivated and producing area, mainly in the East, West and South parts Romania, a continuous increase of yield and production, a diversified offer consisting both of local and imported watermelons and melons, appearance of extra and early fruit of Romanian origin even from June contributing to a better cover of consumer demand along the summer season, an increased competition among suppliers and also a higher income and profit for Romanian producers. Romania's watermelon and melon market is continuously developing grace to an increased demand for a healthy diet including more vegetables and fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]