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The purpose of this study was to analyze the dynamics of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Export (E) and Import (I) in Romania and also in its agro-food sector in the last decade 2013-2022 and to quantify the relationships between these macroeconomic indicators using the data provided by National Institute of Statistics. The methodology used in this study included; fixed basis and structural indices, growth rate, statistical econometric modeling using regression equations, coefficient of correlations, coefficient of determination, comparison and illustrative methods. In 2022 versus 2013, Romania's GDP accounted for Euro 285,884.8 Million (doubled), export raised by 85.51% and reached Euro 91,944 Million, imports accounted for Euro 126,034.07 Million (2.27 times higher) and the deficit of trade balance reached Euro -34,101 Million, being 5.92 times higher. The regression equations quantified the impact of the determinants on GDP as follows: an increase in E value by one unit will determine an increase by 3.5086 units of GDP; an increase by one unit of I will determine a growth by 2.1058 units of GDP; an increase by one unit of NE will shrink GDP by 5.10849 units. In agro-food sector, the situation was the following in 2022 versus 2013: GDPA reached Euro 12,864.81 Million (+66%). EA accounted for Euro 11,959.97 Million (2.26 times higher), IA reached Euro 13,248.61 Million (2.7 times higher), NEA attained Euro -1,288.64 Million (9.4 times higher compared to 2015 level). The regression assessed the impact of the determinants on GDP as follows: an increase in EA will raise GDPA by 0.8668 units; an increase by one unit of IA will determine a growth by 0.7034 units of GDPA; an increase by one unit of NEA will shrunk GDPA by - 1.2343 units. To balance the ratio between E and I with a beneficial impact on NE and GDP, Romania has to intensify exports and diminish imports, to increase production and quality of the exported products, to identify the products which should be purchased from abroad to cover the needs on the domestic market, to offer more subsidies to producers, to extend its commercial partners on the external market and better negotiate the trade transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyze milk resources availabilities and utilizations in their dynamics in the period 2014- 2021 pointing out the state of production, import, export and availabilities for human consumption in order to assess in what measure food security and efficiency in milk trade are assured. The data provided by National Institute of Statistics were processed using fixed basis index, regression equations, determination coefficient, graphically illustration and comparison method. In 2021 versus 2014, the results reflected that: utilizable internal production declined by 9.3%, accounting for 51,750; availabilities for human consumption remained relatively stable, in 2021 being 48,881 thousand hl (+ 0.53%). The weight of availability of milk for human consumption in utilizable internal milk production increased from 85.21 % to 94.45%. Import reached 12,988 thousand hl, being 2.58 times higher. The share of import in availability for human consumption increased by 16.28 pp, reaching 26.57%. Milk export was by + 57.28% higher attaining 3,152 thousand hl. The share of export in utilizable production went up from 3.51% to 6.09%. Export/import ratio declined from 0.40 in 2014 to 0.24 in 2021, reflecting a negative milk trade balance. Milk consumption per capita reached 255.6 kg in 2021, being by 4.66% higher than in 2014. In 2021, a Romanian could consume in average 721.3 g milk per day compared to 689.1 g in 2014. The self-sufficiency rate decreased from 95% in 2014 to 84.02 % in 2021, due to the decline in utilized internal production. To diminish milk crisis, it is needed to offer more subsidies for sustaining dairy farming and to stop the decline in the number of dairy cows, in milk production and marketed milk and reduce imports. Processors have to offer Euro 0.5 per milk kg to Romanian farmers and not a discriminatory price of Euro 0.2.-03. Imports have to be reduced and export to be encouraged after assuring the market requirements by internal production. In this way, both self-sufficiency rate and the efficiency in milk trade could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed Romania's agro-food export, import and trade balance with the EU-27 countries in the period 2013-2021 using the empirical evidence from National Institute of Statistics. Fixed basis and structural indices, as well as Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Gini-Struck Index (GSI) and the Coefficient of Concentration (CC) were used to characterize the concentration degree of the agri-food trade. In 2021, export value accounted for Euro 5,471.8 Million, import value for Euro 8,459.7 Million and the trade balance registered a deficit of Euro -2,987.9 Million. The figures reflect an increase both in export and import, but import exceeded the export reflecting that Romania is a net importer of agro-food products. The highest market share in Romania's export is kept by Italy, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Hungary, France, Greece, Belgium and Poland, while the main import partners are Germany, Hungary, Poland, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Belgium. The concentration degree both in case of export and import is small as proved by the values of HHI, ranging between 0.0845 and 0.0996 for export and between 0.1065 and 0.1106 for import. GSI values ranged between 0.2220 and 0.2406 for export and between 0.2687 and 0.2764 for import. CC values were below 0.5 also reflecting a competitive market. To diminish the dependence of imports, agro-food export has to be stimulated by the increase of agricultural production which has to provide more products with high value added and of a higher quality to enhance competitiveness, and also imports have to be revised and a better resource allocation is needed to strengthen internal production and cover better domestic consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pesticides represents a step forward for agriculture, in terms of the fight against the main diseases and pests, in order to ensure some productions destined for the market and implicitly for food safety. The world consumption of pesticides was captured in the main European Union countries highlighted in statistics such as NIS, Faostat, Eurostat and ITC, the position occupied by Romania being highlighted, in terms of quantities used and the surfaces on which they were applied (2010-2019). The comparative analysis of Romania's situation with the other member countries in terms of pesticides is presented in this paperwork in terms of the quantities of pesticides used, the areas with registered pesticides, imports and exports. At Romania's level, the analysis focused on the evolution of the main indicators that characterize pesticides, both at national level and at the level of the development regions, concluding that, at this level, pesticides are applied differently, depending on a series of exogenous and endogenous factors. But, the European agriculture and implicitly the one in Romania, must respond to a new challenge, that of reducing the quantities of pesticides used, according to the requests of the Farm to Fork strategy, component of the Green Deal, which requires that 25% of the agricultural area to be destined for organic agriculture and a 50% reduction in the use of pesticides, an aspect that we will detail in this scientific communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the importance of production and import in food availabilities in Romania in the period 2015-2020, using the data provided by National Institute of Statistics. the following indicators were studied: total consumption, consumption per inhabitant, production, production/consumption rate, import, import/consumption rate, export, trade balance, import/export ratio, food availabilities, production share and import share in food availabilities, self-sufficiency rate. Dynamic analysis, mean, growth rate in 2020 versus 2015, comparisons were the main tools used for data processing. The results showed that consumption increased for fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and declined for potatoes, cereals, sugar and eggs, as consumers are more oriented to a healthier diet. Production increased for fruits (26.7%), meat(3.3%), potatoes (2.8%), but it declined for sugar (-65%), eggs (- 17%), milk (-5%), fish (-5%), and vegetables (-2.7%). In 2020 vs.2015, production covered consumption of cereals, potatoes, fruits, eggs and milk, but not for meat and fish. Imports increased for all the products, the growth rates varying between 136.7% for sugar and 17% for fish and cereals. The coverage rate of consumption by import was 101% for cereals, 97% for sugar, 91% for fish, 64% for fruits, 39% for meat, 38% for fats, 29% for potatoes, 23% for milk, 17% for vegetables and 10% for eggs. Agro-food export increased for all the products, but with a lower rate than import, resulting a negative trade balance, cereals and honey being excepted. Import/export ratio was the smallest for cereals (0.34), but high for the other products (21.5 for potatoes, 13.7 for fish, 12 for fruits, 10.1 for vegetables, 4 for milk, 3.8 for sugar, and 3.6 for meat). Self-sufficiency rate was over 100% for cereals and honey, and below 100% for all the other products, the lowest level being for fish and sugar. The share of import in food availabilities was 91% for fish, 89% for sugar, 39% for meat, 35.9% for fruits, 32.4% for cereals, 30% for fats, 20.7% for vegetables, 18.4% for milk, 17.6% for potatoes, and 8.1 % for eggs. As a conclusion, the high share of imports is a result of the incapacity of agricultural production to cover market needs for all the product categories. Farmers have to increase productivity, product quality, to join in associative forms, and create short supply food chains to sell their products. Imports are justified mainly in cases where production is not sufficient to cover the internal market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed sunflower seeds sector in Romania in terms of production, exported and imported quantities, export and import value, trade balance and export and import prices in the period 2007-2017 and set up the forecast for the horizon 2018-2022 using the extrapolation method. Romania has a good performance in production and export of sunflower seeds, being ranked on the top position in the EU-28. The volume and quality of sunflower seeds has continuously grown, and the exported amount as well. The imported amount is 6 times lower than import, which favours the trade balance. The export was higher and higher and covered the import value resulting a positive trade balance. But, import price is higher than export price having a negative impact on the trade efficiency. For this reason, imported quantities should be kept at a low level. In the year 2022, it is expected as the seeds production. export and import to increase, as well as the trade balance to preserve its positive value. Farmers should pay attention to use high value cultivars and hybrids, to apply modern technologies, and improve the product market chain. The high demand for sunflower seeds for producing oil and biodiesel mainly in the EU and in other external markets is a chance for Romania to intensify its export. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the impact of Romania's accession into the EU on honey production and trade, using the empirical provided by FAOSTAT and National Institute of Statistics. The methodology was adapted to the purpose of comparison between the pre and post accession period using fixed basis index, growth rate, absolute and relative differences, structural indices, specific trade ratios, and graphical representation. Romania is an important honey producer with a potential over 30,000 tonnes per year. The accession into the EU in 2007 has stimulated the development of apiculture. In 2017, Romania produced 30,177 tonnes honey of which, about 46% was exported mainly in the EU. Romania has over 1,600 thousand bee colonies and 46,000 apiculturists, meaning 24 bee families per apiary. Honey yield per bee family is 18.8 kg, but the potential is over 22 kg, less than in other EU countries. Weather conditions have deeply influenced apiculture performance during the last decade. Both acquisition and producer's price increased in the domestic market, and also the export/import price index was favorable to Romania due to the high quality of honey which is much required on the EU market. In 2016, the export value reached USD 41.4 Million, being 5.37 times higher than in 2000, and the import value achieved USD 8.9 Million, being 52.5 times higher than in the 1st year of the study. Trade balance accounted for USD 32.5 Million, being 4.3 times higher than in 2000. As a conclusion, the accession of Romania into the EU favored honey production, export and import and helped the EU to meet much better its internal market needs and intensify export. For this reason, beekeeping will continue to be an important sector of Romania's and EU agriculture in order to support pollination of agricultural crops, food security and safety and preserve biodiversity. Due to the strong competition, Romania should fight to maintain its position as a top honey producer and exporter of the EU. For this reason, beekeepers should increase apiary size, include organic honey as a market niche, assure honey certification brands and join in more associative forms for increasing efficiency along the honey market chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed wheat and maize production, export and import in Romania in the period 2007-2016 in order to point out the main trends and factors which sustain the position of the country in the international trade. Index method, comparison method, export/production ratio, export/import ratio, gross exchange index have been determined to characterize efficiency of external trade. Maize and wheat production increased 2.8 times during the last decade, representing 50 % and respectively 38.5 % in cereal production. Romania comes on the 2nd position for maize and on the 5th position for wheat in the EU production. The production growth is due mainly to the large cultivated surface, 4.7 million ha, for these two cereals which represent 85 % of the cultivated area in Romania. But, with 4.1 tonnes maize and 3.9 tonnes wheat per ha, yield is by 42.39 % and respectively 26.22 % lower than the EU average. Romania exported 11 times more maize and 34 times more wheat during the last decade. Also, it imported less maize but more wheat mainly for re-export. Export/Production ratio increased from reached 0.32 for maize and 0.82 for wheat, and Export/Import ratio reached 7.78 for maize and 5.83 for wheat. Export and import value also had a high growth rate, while import had a decline, resulting a positive balance, and this under the decline of export price and increase of import price. As a conclusion, the production growth contributed to the development of export with a benefic effect on the trade balance and Romania's prestige and position as a cereal producer and exporter. To increase yield level, investments are required in new technologies ( machinery, irrigations, high production value hybrids and varieties, fertilization and plant protection). Also, farm size should be increased by joining in associative forms for a more efficient use of capital and human resources and increase economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper was to analyze the main aspects and trends in the EU an Romania's egg market based on the Eurostat and National Institute of Statistics data. The dynamics of laying hens, egg production, consumption, price and trade have been the main indicators analyzed in this study pointing out the problems in the Romanian egg market and the differences compared to the EU market mainly regarding egg price. The EU egg market is facing with a relatively stable egg production, 90% intra-EU export, 20% extra-EU imports, a slight decline of the egg price, but large variations from a country to another. The egg sector is subsidized in almost all the EU countries, except Romania. This helps the breeders from the subsidized countries to have a smaller production cost and a high economic efficiency selling at a higher price. The EU egg trade balance is a positive one, the EU being one of the most important egg producer and exporter in the world. In Romania, the laying hen number and egg production declined because of high price for farm inputs, the movement from the cage system to the barn and free range systems. to reduce production cost. Egg price has increased, but it is not at the average EU level, being influenced by seasonality of production and offer/demand ratio. Egg price declines in the warm season when production is higher, and increases in the fall-winter season when production is lower but the demand is higher. The inflow of imports determine Romanian producers to reduce the selling price. Romania's egg trade balance is still a positive one, but the imports have an increasing trend. This situation imposes a new strategy at the EU level to assure a loyal competition among all the producers, and to export more eggs to the extra-EU countries and assure a better consumer protection. In Romania, the Government must allot subsidies to support the egg sector, and the breeders must pay attention to egg quality, production cost and intensify export. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the paper was the analysis of Romania's the agro-food export, import and trade balance by the EU country group and agro-food product group based on the statistical data in the year 2010 in order to identify the commercial relationships with a positive and respectively a negative impact of the trade balance. The EU trade partners were divided into 4 groups: Central Eastern (CE), Western (W), Northern (N) and Southern (S) EU countries and the agro-food product groups were: Live animals and preparations of animal origin, Vegetal products, Fats and oils of vegetal and animal origin, Food, beverages and tobacco. The data were processed using the share and comparison methods. In 2010, Romania registered a negative agro-food trade balance with a deficit of Euro thousand 903,148.This was due to the unefficient commerce with the CE and W EU countries, which together recorded Euro Thousand 1,400,298 deficit. The balance was positively influenced by the Southern EU trade partners whose contribution accounted for Euro thousand 513,953. Therefore, the agro-food trade has to be intensified with the Southern EU countries and to become more relaxed with the CE and W EU countries, especially regarding imports. Live animals are mainly required in the CE and W EU countries, vegetal products in the W and S EU countries, fats and oils in the CE and S EU countries, and finally, food, beverages and tobacco in the S and the CE EU countries. Agro-food imports have to be substantially diminished as long as Romania' s agriculture is able to produce for the internal market and export has to be intensified especially with the countries with a positive impact on the trade balance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]