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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 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 goal of this study is the analysis of the dynamics of milk production, yield and dairy cows in Romania in the period 2013-2022. The empirical data were provided by National Institute of Statistics and were processed using the fixed basis index, and concentration method based on Herfindahl-Hirschman index, graphical representation of the regression equations and R square. The results confirmed the general declining trend in milk production which reached 35,300 thousand hl in 2022, being by 9.1% smaller than in 2013. The bovine livestock also decline and the number of dairy cows decreased, in 2022 accounting for 1,075.6 thousands heads by 9.2% smaller than in 2013. Milk yield in Romania also declined in the analyzed interval by 7.6% from 3,643.8 kg in 2013 to 3,367 kg per cow in 2022. Milk yield in Romania is the smallest in the EU-27, being twice lower than the EU mean accounting for 7,653 kg/cow. The factors which led o such a critical situation in dairy farming have been: the non corresponding farm structure, where 80% are small farms raising 1-2 cows, 13% have 2-5 cows and just 0.32% of farms raise over 50 cows. Also, during the last years, climate change in terms of low precipitations and long and severe drought affected forage production. Farm inputs price increased by 70% which led to high production costs that the low milk price of Lei 1.4-1.8 imposed by milk processors could not covered. The degree of concentration of milk production and of the number of dairy cows in Romania is enough small, ranging between 015-0.20 reflecting a moderate concentration. The subsidies per animal and milk were not enough to save the situation, and in consequence, a part of farms failed and other farms sold their animals to slaughterhouses. To avoid milk imports which have significantly raised during the years 2021-2022, the breeders have to be sustained by consistent subsidies to help their cows to produce more milk as dairy cows farming is in the most critical situation as never before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to analyze overtourism in a selection of the top visited European countries, in the most visited cities and villages, based on a specific indicator "density per inhabitant" and also on "density per square km" in the cities in the years 2022 versus 2019. The results proved that overtourism is present because the density of tourists per inhabitant is very high and per square km is a few times higher than the number of the local population. In 2022, the highest tourist charge per inhabitant was found in all the selected cities, but especially in: Venice, Dubrovnik, Vienna, Paris, Florence, Amsterdam, Milan and Barcelona. Per square km, the overcrowded cities by tourists are: Venice, Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Madrid and Vienna. There were also highlighted the villages which are suffocated by tourists taking into consideration the local population: Cinque Terre, Capri-Anacapri, Alberobello, Hallstadt, Giethoorn, Oia, Tibermory, Ciocanesti, Viscri, Bran, Marginimea Sibiului, and Sapanta. Finally, the study emphasizes the measures taken by the authorities in each city and village, depending on the local situation, as well as UNWTO strategies recommended to be implemented for diminishing the negative effects of overtourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is the analysis of the competitiveness of the EU top 10 honey exporting countries. Based on World Bank data for the period 2018-2021, Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA), Trade Balance Index (TBI), Production Mapping (PM) and Comparative Export Performance Index (CEP have been determined. RCA results proved that the comparative advantage is "strong" for Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Greece, "moderate" for Spain, "weak" for Poland and Belgium, while Germany, Italy and France have "no" advantage. The RSCA positive values showed that Spain, Hungary, Poland, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria are advantaged in honey trade, while Germany, Italy and France are disadvantaged. According to TBI results, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Greece and Bulgaria are net exporting countries, while Germany, Poland, Belgium, Italy and France are net importing member states. Romania has a high comparative export performance against France, Italy, Germany and Belgium (CEP>5), a moderate performance against Poland and Spain (2

The paper aimed to analyze the competitiveness of top 16 honey exporting countries in the world in the period 2018-2021 using World Bank data, based on the specific indicators Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA), Comparative Export Performance Index (CEP) and Trade Balance Index (TBI). The results showed that in 2021, New Zealand, Argentina, Ukraine, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Brazil, India, Spain, Vietnam, Poland and Mexico had a comparative advantage, while EU, China and Germany have a comparative disadvantage in the international honey market. A strong comparative advantage belongs to New Zealand, Argentina, Ukraine, Hungary and Romania, and partially to Greece, a moderate comparative advantage belongs to Brazil, India, Spain, Mexico, Vietnam and Greece in specific years, a weak comparative advantage belongs to Poland, Vietnam, China and Spain in specific years, and finally, China, EU and Germany are disadvantaged. The highest RSCA is characteristic to New Zealand, Argentina, Ukraine, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Brazil. New Zealand has the highest CEP against EU, China, Germany, and the smallest CEP versus Brazil, Romania, Hungary, Greece and mainly Ukraine. New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Hungary, Mexico, followed by India and Vietnam have a high TBI being net exporting countries. EU, Germany, Poland had a negative TBI, reflecting that they are net importers and also Greece in 2018. As any country desires to be more competitive, exports and imports have to be kept under control, larger amounts to be available to be sold at the best price and the geographic area of influence to be extended looking for new trade partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work aims to analyze both the situation of pig herds, as well as the production and consumption of pork in Romania compared to other EU countries, given that the European Union ranks first in the world in terms of production and 3rd place in the world in terms of pork consumption. The analyzed indicators, which were collected from internal (INSSE) and international (Eurostat) databases, were: pig herds, total pork production, pig herd density; the number of slaughtered animals; consumption of pork. Based on this information, the standard deviation and the coefficient of variation were calculated both for the multi-year average of pig herds and for their density. The analysis highlighted the fact that pig herds have continuously decreased during the analyzed period (the decrease being 27% in 2021 compared to 2015), the reasons being both economic (increasing prices, energy crisis, etc.), but also the impossibility of proper management of outbreaks of Swine Fever Africana that led on the one hand to the slaughter of livestock, and on the other hand to the prohibition or reduction of exports. Regarding the consumption of pork, Romania is below the European Union average, but an increase in consumption is noted from 31.3 kg/inhabitant in 2015 to 37.8 kg/inhabitant in 2021. [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]

The paper analyzed the EU agri-food trade based on Eurostat data in the period 2013-2022 in order establish in what measure its commerce is efficient in terms of total trade, export, import, coverage ratio, trade-to GDP, export ratio, net export, share of groups of products in export and import value, growth rate and regression equations. The results highlighted an increase in agricultural output value by 33.77% which enhanced export. The total agri-food trade increased by +61.3% in the analyzed interval, accounting for Euro 424.6 Billion in 2022. Export value reached Euro 229.1 Billion in 2022, being by 58% higher, while import value raised by 65.53%, attaining Euro 195.5 Billion. Net exports were positive and varied between Euro 25.6 Billion in 2015 and Euro 46.9 Billion, the peak attained in 2021. Also, the coverage ratio was over 100% in the whole interval. The exported amounts were higher than the imported ones till 2016, but then imports exceeded exports, except the year 2021. The average export price was superior to the average import price every year. In the analyzed interval, the average export price increased by 37.13%, while import price by 25.71%. Export ratio was over 100 ranging between 119 in 2015, 131 in 2020 and 117 in 2022. The variations in export and import quantities and values produced changes in the share of the groups of products reflecting that in 2022, the hierarchy for export was: Foodstuffs, Animal products, Vegetal products, Fats and Oils, and for import: Vegetal products, Food stuffs, Animal products and Fats and oils. A positive trade balance and coverage ratio over 100 were found in case of Animal products and Food stuffs, and a negative trade balance and a coverage ratio below 100 was registered for Vegetal products and Fats and oils. Agrifood export accounted for 42.9% in agricultural output value in 2022, but the peak was 44.6% in 2018. The regression equation Y = 0.5259 X - 46.0376 shows that an increase by Euro 1 Billion in agricultural output value could raise export value by Euro 0.52 Billion. This research work highlighted the high efficiency in the agri-food trade of the EU in the period 2013-2022. To preserve its position of world leader in agri-food trade, the EU has to continue its CAP reforms oriented to a high performance from an economic, social, environment and food security point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the evolution animal sector regarding livestock and production in Romania in the period 2007-2020. Two sub-periods: P1- 2007-2013 and P2 2014-2020 were compared for assessing if the achievements in P2 were superior. The data from the National Institute of statistics regarding livestock and production by species were processed using fixed basis index, structural index, regression equations, coefficient of determination, multi annual mean per decade, absolute and relative differences between P2 and P1, in order to emphasize the trends and changes during the studied period. The results emphasized the following: the number of bovines, pigs and poultry decreased, while the number of sheep and goats and bee families increased both in P2 and P1. The total animal live weight at slaughter diminished due to the lower and lower live weight of bovines and pigs. However, the increased live weight at slaughter of sheep, goats and poultry had a positive impact. Milk and egg production declined and continued in P2, while wool and honey production increased. Despite that agricultural production value in animal sector increased by +20,420 trillion Lei in 2020 versus 2007, it was by 68.61% smaller than the agricultural production value achieved in the vegetal sector. In consequence, the contribution of animal sector to agricultural output was just 31.39% in the year 2020. The gaps in domestic production have to be covered by imports to meet consumers' requirements and this will deepen the deficit in agro-food trade balance. The reduction of CO2 emissions in agriculture, where 50% come from animal sector, obliges farmers to set up strategies destined to promote animal products obtained from more environment friendly technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the great current challenges at the global level is represented by finding sustainable production systems that ensure both social, economic and environmental sustainability, while at the same time pursuing the optimal provision of production, trade or consumption indicators. Globalization is the one that affected those producers who, not having access to alternative markets, had to sell their goods at much lower prices, thus making the very principles of equity and efficiency affected. The solution was represented by the practice of fair trade and the application of sustainable supply systems, which represent ways to solve these shortcomings. This paperanalyzes the situation of fair trade worldwide and its evolution for the period 2012-2020. The research methodology assumed the collection of data, their processing and analysis with the help of some statistical indicators such as: the number of Fairtrade organizations, the number of Fairtrade farmers, the number of workers in Fairtrade organizations, the proportion of women involved in Fairtrade activities, the areas intended for obtaining Fairtrade productions, Fairtrade productions, premiums granted in Fairtrade. The data highlighted the fact that worldwide, during the analyzed period, there was a continuous increase in fair trade, the increase being over 65% in terms of the number of producer organizations. The number of farmers reached over 1.77 million in 2020, this being the result of understanding the role of affiliation to this form of trade. The largest number of producers participating in fair trade are producers of coffee, tea or cocoa, their share being, in the analyzed period, between 86-92%. The paper highlights the fact that the emergence and development of fair trade represented a way of supporting farmers and agricultural workers in developing countries, this can be done both by the political environment, but also by society. Although the application of these measures has contributed to the increase in the standard of living, to the respect of the rights of farmers and workers, equally with the principles of sustainable development, the weight of fair trade in all trade, proves the fact that it is still carried out on a small scale, as there is a need for the development yes, with the aim of reducing global poverty.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work represents a contribution to the knowledge of the state of research in the field of rural tourism, agritourism and ecotourism in Romania, identifying the main trends and proposing future research lines and themes. Secondary data such as journal articles, proceeding papers reports and statistical data were analysed to obtain an image of the current stage in research with the topic rural tourism, agritourism and ecotourism in Romania. A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted on the literature retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database using the VOS Viewer software tool. Using the specific keywords "Rural Tourism", and "Agrotourism", and "Agritourism" and "Ecotourism", and "Romania" 440 articles were reviewed and analysed. The results show that studies concerning these keywords and their influence on the development of rural areas in Romania represent an important and dynamic research topic in the last 10 years. Eight major research themes were identified regarding rural tourism, agritourism and ecotourism in Romania. The findings made in this paper will add to the existing body of knowledge of Romanian tourism research in general and, rural tourism research in particular. [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 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 aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of tourist flows in terms of tourist arrivals and overnight stays by tourist destination in Romania in the years 2020 and 2021 of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the year 2019. Graphics and fixed and variable basis and structural indices were used to show the difference of the level of these two indicators and their distribution by each destination. The year 2019 was the best for Romania's tourism when over 13.37 million arrivals and over 30.08 million overnight stays were registered. In 2020, the arrivals were by 52.16% lower than in 2019, and the overnight stays smaller by 48.45%, showing that this year was the worst, as a part of units were closed or worked at a reduced capacity, recording a lower revenue and even failed. Romanians saved tourism, being the dominant category who rediscovered the beauty of their own country both in 2020 and in 2021 when the restrictions were cancelled or limited. In 2021, the number of arrivals accounted for over 9.37 million and the number of overnight stays for over 20.83 million. The hierarchy of the tourist destinations in Romania based on the level of these two indicators is: Bucharest, the capital and the main cities, other localities and tourism itineraries, seaside resorts, mountain resorts, spa resorts and the Danube Delta and Tulcea City. The recovery of was not yet at the level of 2019, despite that in 2021, tourism managers have made special efforts to improve and diversify their offers and better satisfy their guests. This dynamics gives a hope that in coming years tourism will return to the level of 2019 or even to exceed it. [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]

Capitalizing on the tourist potential of a region together with the presence of roads and means of transport to areas with potential generates numerous tourist flows that will contribute to the tourist development of that geographical part of the country. The tourist technical-material base adapted to the needs and standards of tourists will contribute to a high number of overnight stays in the tourist region. The data processed in the work come from National Institute of Statistics-NIS. The qualitative aspects in this research were studied based on current scientific literature, official documents and observation method, and the quantitative research was carried out using statistical analysis of the processed data, graphic and cartographic method, the method of observation and interpretation. The results were presented in tables, graphs and then interpreted and examined. Data used in this study are part of the textbook on the desk. Tourist reception structures are the most important part of the technicalmaterial base of tourism. The tourist accommodation units include public utility spaces classified and arranged in such a way as to allow the accommodation of tourists and the provision of specific services according to the location. Despite that the most numerous accommodation units are represented by hotels, their number declined from 2,100 in 2008 to 1,526 in 2020 (-17.4%). The number of overnight stays is also high in hotels, but they also decreased from 52,481 in 2008 to 22,368 in 2020 meaning by - 67.4% less. A number of 304,068 tourists visited Ialomita county in 2008 and 73,697 in 2020, which reveals 24.2% because the county is visited especially for spa treatment in Amara Resort. The more active involvement of the authorities and the population for competitive activities and the increased degree of responsibility for everyone will generate a sustainable development of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work highlights the importance of local gastronomic points (LGP) in the sustainable development of villages in the mountain area of Romania. The paper employed a quantitative and a qualitative analysis. In this paper there are presented the number of local gastronomic points established in the mountain area of Sibiu County, Romania, the number of local producers registered under the optional "mountain product" quality scheme and the number of tourist structures with accommodation function and their accommodation capacity, from the same localities. A case study of a local gastronomic point was carried out and an investigation was carried out regarding the knowledge of young people about local gastronomic points, respectively their role in the development of villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze cereals production and price at farm gate, also farm inputs prices (seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, fuel and herbicides) in the EU in the period 2016-2021 and also partially in 2022 in order to identify the trends in the main cereals producing countries France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Italy, Spain and Hungary and to propose a few alternatives to farmers how to adapt to climate change for sustaining production. Eurostat data regarding cereals production and price at farm gate and also prices for farm inputs were used, graphically illustrated including trend regression equation and coefficient of determination. The results pointed out that EU cereals output accounted for 272.6 million tonnes in 2022, being by -8.2% lower than the peak of 2019. Wheat and maize production is 128.19 million tonnes and, respectively, 55.1 million tonnes, meaning lower levels than before. Cereals output declined in the main producing countries: France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Italy, Hungary, but increased in Poland. High temperatures, heat waves, severe and long droughts, low precipitations were the main causes related to climate change. Cereals price at the farm gate increased, and also production costs went up due to the raise in farm input prices which started since 2021 and exploded in 2022. High price for diesel, seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, herbicides, were recorded compared to their levels in 2015. The highest increase of producer's price ranged between +60.7% in Hungary and +31.8% in Spain. In Romania it was +40%. Compared to 2015, in 2021, the growth rate of farm inputs price was: +15.8% for diesel, +10.8% for seeds, +9.8% for fertilizers, +5,13% for herbicides and +3% for plant protection products. In the future, farmers have to increase production rethinking cereals structure, using more high potential varieties and hybrids, resistant to drought, diseases and pests; to extend biodiversity and use crop rotation to preserve soil nutrients; to implement technologies with fewer inputs and conservative agriculture for assuring the sustainable development of cereals production, protecting environment and preserving biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper purpose was to analyze the present situation of the mountain areas in Romania from a sociodemographic, economic and environmental point of view in order to identify the main positive and negative aspects and to establish what objectives and measures have to be considered for assuring the sustainable development of the mountain regions in the coming future. The statistical data provided by Eurostat, FAO, National Institute of Statistics and National Agency for Mountain Areas were statistically processed in their dynamics using trend regression equations, graphical illustration and comparisons. The results pointed out that the Carpathians cover 37.8% of Romania's area and are predominantly rural. The share of the mountain municipalities is just 37.8%(12th position in Europe), the residents account for 5.53 million (6th position) meaning 25% in the total population (11th position), agriculture (mainly animal growing) and forestry are the main activities. In 2021, in the mountain regions there were registered 3,147 producers who carried out 1,164 mountain products, the highest weight belonging to vegetal, dairy and beekeeping products whose sale was assured by 135 Local Gastronomic Points. The contribution of the mountain areas to GDP was Euro 48.7 million, for which Romania came on the 8th position among other European countries. The actual challenges the mountain areas are facing are: the decline and aging of the population, migration of young people to the cities, weak infrastructure, livestock decrease, grasslands degradation, weak promotion of mountain products, lack of connectivity and communication between settlements, a low valorization of the natural and human resources. In consequence, as the Mountain Law provides, it is needed a new approach regarding the development of the mountain economy by valorizing in a more effective way all the resources, paying attention to the diversification of the activities, creating new jobs, stimulating entrepreneurship to increase production (agriculture, forestry, handicrafts etc) and encourage more services (education, medical, cultural, tourism, trade, credit etc), facilities for supporting young people to remain in the localities of origin, improving infrastructure (roads, bridges, houses and village restoration, connectivity to IT and mobile network, digitalization etc), involving both the local authorities and all the residents to intensify their efforts to support the mountain areas in their way to a sustainable development upwards 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research work was to analyze cereals cultivated area, yields, production and price at farm gate in Romania during the last decade, 2012-2021 and also in the year 2022 in order to identify the main trends and causes which affected the performances. The data provided by National Institute of Statistics and Eurostat were processed using indices methods, regression equations and r square, and comparisons between maize and wheat. The results emphasized that, compared to 2012 level, in 2021, Romania achieved 27.79 million tonnes cereals (+116.27%), 14.82 million tonnes maize grains (+149.07%), and 10.43 million tonnes wheat (+96.79%). Maize and wheat represent 92.8% of Romania's cereals production. The high record is explained by the large surfaces cultivated with cereals, accounting for 5.35 million ha in 2021 (-1.6% less than in 2012), of which maize 47.6% and wheat 40.6%, all together 88.2%. Yields are still below the levels achieved by France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain, which are its EU main competitors in producing cereals. Compared to 2012, in 2021, cereals yield was 5,188 kg/ha (+120%), maize 5,802 kg grains/ha (+166.16%), wheat 4,797 kg/ha (+78.85%), reflecting the efforts made by farmers to increase production. These results were carried out under the impact of intense climate variations and extreme phenomena like: high air temperatures, heat waves, long droughts, low precipitations. High price volatility for Diesel, seeds, fertilizers, products for plant protection etc had a deep impact on the increase of production costs. Cereals price at the farm gate also increased, under the influence of the unbalance demand/supply ratio in the international market, cereals quotations at the international stock exchange, and hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Un uncertain future is for the coming agricultural years, when farmers have to strengthen their efforts as their business to survive. They have to set up new technological alternatives for crop structure, cultivated areas, amendments, conservative agriculture, lower farms inputs, environmentally friendly solutions to sustain soil fertility, extend biodiversity, and also to keep production costs under strict control and to assure a lower risk for their business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the dynamics and trends in average annual food consumption of the population in Romania based on the empirical data provided by National Institute of Statistics for the period 2014-2020. Fixed basis index, growth rate, regression equation, coefficient of determination, graphical method and comparisons were the main procedures used to process. Cereals consumption declined by 1.26%, accounting for 204.4 kg/capita in 2020 and wheat and rye have the highest share in consumption. In the studied interval, vegetable consumption increased by +6.28%, accounting for 194.4 kg in 2020. Consumption decreased for potatoes (-7.4%) and cabbage, while for onion remained the same. Tomatoes reached 42.1 kg (+10.5%) and keep the top position among vegetables. Fruits consumption increased by +34.1%, reaching 107.6 kg in 2020. The consumption increase for (+15.5%), plums (+68%), grapes (+27.4%), peaches (+12.1%), melons (+5.5%), and nuts, while for cherries remained relatively constant and for apricots declined. Romanians consume 39.5 kg Mediterranean and exotic fruits by + 53.6% more, exceeding the apple consumption. Sugar consumption increased 25.5 kg in 2020 (+20.8%), while egg consumption decreased to 236 pieces (-4.1%. Milk and dairy products consumption increased 252.6 litres in 2020 (+3.4%). Oil consumption increased to 18.3 kg with 85.2% share in vegetal fats. Butter consumption account for 3.5 kg/capita. Meat consumption is by +27% higher in 2020, accounting for 77.4 kg/capita. Pork keeps its top position with 38.3 kg (+28.6%), being followed by poultry meat 28 kg (+39.3%). Pork keeps 48.1% and poultry meat 36.1% in meat consumption and together accounting for 84.2%. Fish consumption reached 6.3 kg (+38.5, while honey attained 0.8 kg. Income and price are the main factors influencing buying decision and consumption in Romania, besides product quality, landmark and fidelity, life style and desire to a healthier diet. Consumption plays an important role in GDP creation, and that is why the authorities have to increase salaries and pensions, income per household in a word and to establish thresholds among which prices could vary to stimulate consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze income inequality in the EU-27 countries in the period 2014-2021 based on Eurostat data and methodology involving specific indicators. Dynamic analysis, regression equations, R2, growth or decline rates, classifications, comparisons, and graphical and tabled illustration of the results were the main procedures for data processing. In the most member states it was noticed a reduction of disparities, grace to the measures taken by each country to improve income of the citizens by social transfers. In the Euro area, income level is higher than in EU-27 and income disparities are smaller. In 2021, the EU-27 median disposable income accounted for Euro 18,369 by +21.6% higher than in 2014. In the Euro area, it reached Euro 20,776 (+19.4%). The highest median disposable income exceeds Euro 25,000 in Luxemburg, Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Germany, while the lowest level is in Romania Euro 4,832. In 2021, Gini coefficient of equalized disposable income was 30.1 in the EU-27 and 30.5 in the Euro area, showing a slight decline of income inequality. While Lithuania and Latvia are the countries with the highest income disparity, Slovenia, Belgium and Czechia have a lower income inequality. Income by quantiles reached Euro 12,790 in the EU-27 and Euro 14,622 in the Euro area. Luxemburg, Ireland, Austria and Netherlands registered the highest income by quantiles, while Latvia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania the lowest one. Income quintile share ratio S80/S20 for disposable income, reached 4.97 in the EU-27 and 5.02 in the Euro area. It increased in France, Italy, Latvia, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands and declined in all the other countries. Despite of a relative reduction in income inequality during the analyzed period, the process has to continue for ensuring the goal 10 of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development. For this reason, researchers and policy makers have to look for new strategies to improve income and increase the living standard of the population and assure the sustainable development of all the member states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the education level in the EU rural areas and identified the gaps exiting between different member states compare to the EU average according to ISCED 2011classification mainly for the population aged 15-64 years. The Eurostat data were processed determining the differences in percentage points registered in the year 2021. The results showed that, in more than 50% EU member states, the share of the rural population is over the EU mean of 22.3%. With 44.9% and 44.7%, Slovakia and Romania could be considered rural countries. The demographic changes in the rural areas have had a deep influence on enrollment and future labor force reserve. The early school-leaving rate is the highest in the rural areas, while tertiary education has lower percentages, on the last position being situated Bulgaria and Romania (below10%). The EU rural population aged 15-64 years has a higher share than the EU average of 25.5% for "Less primary, primary and lower secondary education (level 0-2)" in only 9 countries: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark and Hungary. Compared to the EU mean of 74.5% for "Upper secondary, post secondary non-tertiary education (level 3-8)", a lower level was registered in only in 9 countries: Hungary, Denmark, Romania, Bulgaria, Malta, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. The EU average for "Upper secondary and post secondary non-tertiary education (level 3 and 4)" accounted for 53% and this rate was higher in only 7 states: Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, Romania, Hungary and Germany. For "Tertiary education (levels 5-8)", the EU-27 average is 21.4% and a higher rate was found only in 14 countries: Ireland, Belgium Luxemburg, Slovenia, Sweden, Cyprus, France, Estonia, Lithuania, Malta, Spain, Netherlands, Finland, Austria. The large variation of education level in the rural areas from a country to another has a deep impact on economic and social development. For this reason, besides the EU strategy, each country has to adapt its policy and strategy to the local situation and needs. Education and work force crises in the rural areas should be solved by a better infrastructure, more and highly competent teaching staff, a modern endowment in rural schools and a competence oriented curricula, extend of IT skills and digitalization, creation of partnerships and networks, exchange of experience and good practices, educational platforms and internet connections to ensure the permanent interlinks in the community and in the territory, and a proper financing for the field of education from the budget and access of the EU financial support provided by CAP 2021-2027, European Regional development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), EaSIF-European and Social Innovation Fund, ERASMUS Programme and Horizon 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the dynamics of livestock and milk and meat production in the top five EU countries growing sheep and goats: Spain, Romania, Greece, France and Italy. The empirical data from Eurostat and Faostat for the period 2012-2021 were processed using usual methods and procedures like fixed basis and structural indices, trend regression equation, determination coefficient and points method. The comparison between these five countries pointed out the decline of sheep number in four countries, except Romania and the decrease in goats number in Greece and Spain, but an increase in Romania, France and Italy. Ewe milk production increased in three countries, except Spain where it remained relatively constant and Romania where it declined. Goat milk production raised in three countries, except Greece and Romania. Sheep meat output increased in France and Spain, but in the other countries went down, while goat meat output increased only in Spain, the other four states recording a decline. In the year 2021, these five countries all together counted 46.1 million sheep, representing 76.% of the EU sheep livestock, and also they had 9.4 million goats, meaning 82.1% of the EU goats livestock. In 2020, all these countries produced 2.73 million tonnes sheep milk and 1.87 million tonnes goat milk, accounting for 1.7% and respectively 1.16% in the EU milk output. These counties also contributed by 85% to the EU sheep and goat meat production. This reflects the importance of small ruminants in the EU animal livestock and production. These species have to help the EU for greening agriculture, as they could valorize natural resources from the mountains and less favored areas and also could be grown in organic farming system, assuring jobs and income to the local population, food security and at the same time contributing to the biodiversity preservation and production of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the EU's livestock and animal production in the decade 2012-2021 using the Eurostat data which were statistically processed using dynamics and structural indices and regression equations. The results pointed out that the EU livestock declined by about 9%, so that in 2021, it numbered 77.54 million bovines, 142.73 million pigs, 63.23 million sheep and 12.45 million goats. EU had 5.7 million animal holdings in 2016, by -37.6% less than in 2005, representing 54.28% of the total number of the EU farms. The highest number of bovines are reared in France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Poland, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Romania. While their number decreased in France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Romania, in Ireland, Spain, Poland and Italy it increased. Pigs are mainly grown in Spain, Germany, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Belgium and Romania. While in Spain and Denmark it recorded an upward trend, in Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Belgium and Romania pig number declined. Sheep are especially reared in Spain, Greece, Romania, France, and Italy. The sheep number increased by 14% only in Romania, while in the other countries it decreased. Goats number increased in Italy, Romania and France, while in Greece and Spain it registered a downward tendency. Animal output volume and value registered an increasing trend. Milk production increased by +10.3% reaching 160.14 million tonnes in 2020, of which 70% is produced by Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Romania and Austria. Meat production accounted for 43.92 million tonnes in 2021, being by 11.50% higher than in 2012. In its structure, 52.3% is pork, 31% is poultry meat, 15.5% is beef and veal and 1.2 % comes from sheep and goats. France and Germany are the largest meat producing countries. Beef is mainly produced in France, Germany and Spain, poultry in Poland and France, pork in Germany, Spain and France, sheep meat in Spain, France, Ireland and Greece and goat meat in Greece and Spain. In 2021, the animal output value accounted for Euro 162.81 million being by 7.1% higher than in 2012. France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland and Denmark contributes by 70%. In the future it is expected to continue the decline in livestock, the increase of yield and its quality, farmers paying more attention to organic farming, animal health and welfare, food quality and security and also to environment protection and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concepts of urban and peri-urban agriculture, although they are not new, are current as a result of the fact that one of the problems that arose during the Covid-19 crisis was that of food security as a result of the need to ensure food resources from nearby sources, in the conditions in which transport and other sectors of activity have reduced or suspended their activity. In this paper, we propose that, starting from the study of the specialized literature regarding urban and peri-urban agriculture, to identify their development possibilities, to identify the forms of practice of urban and peri-urban agriculture, to present the strengths and weaknesses weak related to their development and to propose solutions for their integration in the development of cities on a sustainable basis. The research methodology assumed the study of specialized literature, the consultation of internal and international databases, the processing and analysis of data with the aim of formulating conclusions that can be the basis of future studies, but also formulating conclusions that can be integrated into future policies regarding the development of urban and peri-urban agriculture, taking into account the fact that at the moment there is still no exact formulation regarding their support. [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 goal of the study is to analyze Romania's tourism in the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 and 2021, in order to quantify the gaps compared to the highest performance achieved in 2019 and in what measure tourism started to recover. Offer in terms of units with function for tourists' accommodation, their number, structure and evolution, number of places and their dynamics by accommodation type, and demand in terms of arrivals, overnight stays both at national level and in rural tourism, index of net use of accommodation capacity, incoming and outgoing tourism were the main studied indicators using fixed basis and structural indices and comparison method. Compared to 2019, in 2021 the number of accommodation units reached 9,146, being by +8.8% higher and the number of places accounted for 364.5 thousand (+2.2%). In 2020, tourist arrivals represented 47.8% and in 2021 accounted for 69.3% of the 2019 level, and the overnight stays followed a similar situation. The main destinations were the seashore, mountain and spa resorts, Romanian tourists having about 90% share in total arrivals. The pandemic was an incentive for Romanians to "Rediscover Romania" and the holiday vouchers were of much help. In a low measure, mainly in 2021, outgoing tourism to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Maldive, Egypt exceeded the incoming tourism. The year 2021 was better than 2020, as the relaxed measures started earlier than in 2020 and tourism managers adopted flexible offers, personalized packages, last minute, early booking, free cancelation, lower tariffs, bonuses etc. The increasing trend is a hope that in 2022 tourism will have a much better dynamics and there are chances to recover! [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 purpose of this paper is to identify: short supply chains (SFSC) in Sibiu County, Romania, in the context of the need of transformation for the current food chains; young people's attitude towards food and a healthy lifestyle and their behavior in the current context of the Covid pandemic 19. Data were collected from public authorities, local organizations and websites of manufacturers and processors. A questionnaire was developed and was applied online between October 30 and November 20, 2021, among students (bachelor's and master's) from faculties with an agri-food profile. It was completed by a number of 222 people, and the data were synthesized, tabulated and analyzed. In Sibiu County, 17 types of short food supply chains (SFSC) have been identified, which can be examples of good practice in the necessary transformation of the current food system towards sustainability. Young consumers have a positive attitude towards food and a healthy lifestyle, without having significant behavioral changes in the current context of the pandemic. The results of this study may have implications for establishing marketing strategies for young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the dynamics of tourist arrivals and overnight stays in Romania during the COVID-19 pandemic versus 2019 and expectations in 2022. The methodology includes dynamics and structural indices and regression equations. Of the highest performance achieved in 2019, tourist demand declined to 48% in 2020 and 65% arrivals in 2021, and to 64% and 67% overnight stays. Hotels accounted for 64-67% in total arrivals and 45-64% in stays. The Romanians' share during the pandemic was 92.9% in 2020 and 85.2% in 2021. In hotels, their weight 69%. The polynomial equations showed a parabolic trend of arrivals and stays by month. Thus, 2021 was a better year than 2020 and in 2022 it is expected that arrivals to represent 85% of the 2019 level. In 2022, 941 new 5 stars hotels will be built to assure more comfort and accommodation capacity. Hotel managers have to use creative and efficient methods to attract more tourists. Offer diversification, customized packages, bonuses, price flexibility, high quality services, an intensified virtual promotion (web-site, social media) could attract more visitors and improve hotels performance. [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 rural areas in Romania from a territorial, demographic, economic, social and environment point of view in the year 2020 compared to 2011 in order to point out in what measure the gaps between rural and urban areas and EU rural areas have been reduced. The data from National Institute of Statistics and Eurostat were used in this comparison where fixed indices, structural indices, regression equations, determination coefficient helped to create an image on the changes. Rural areas keeps 89.6% of Romania's territory and 46.4% of its population, while at the EU level, the rural population accounts for only 29.1%. Rural population is aging, as 46% of people is aged of 50 and over. Depopulation caused by the negative natural movement and migration led to the decline in rural population. Rural poverty and social exclusion is higher, the EU average rate being 26%, while in Bulgaria, Malta and Romania is higher than 50%. Infrastructure regarding rural roads, water supply, sewerage and waste collection continue to be a big problem. Education level is lower, in 2020, only 17% graduates were from the rural areas, while in the EU 22% of the people aged 25-64 and 28.4% of the ones aged 30-34 have tertiary education. Rural digitalization is relatively weak as only 49% rural residents have digital skills compared to 62% in the cities. Of Romania's occupied population, 20% is in the rural areas and women accounts for 50%. About 83% of occupied population in agriculture are self employed. Salaried men in agriculture represent 3.5%, while women 1.1%, reflecting gender discrimination in total salaried population. Labor productivity in agriculture is small, just 20% of the national level. Per 1,000 AWU, labor productivity in Romania is the smallest in the EU. The rural average monthly income represents 64% of the income level in the urban areas and its growth rate is smaller. Agriculturists have the smallest income. Climate change diminished agricultural output and gross value added in Romania, and also the contribution to the EU. GDP/capita in rural Romania accounts for Euro 13,000, representing 65% of the EU average reflecting the gap in economic development and living standard. National Strategic Plan 2021-2027, whose implementation will involve the local authorities, is expected to transform rural areas in a resilient and diversified eco-system supplying agro-food products for ensuring food safety, in a consolidated economic and social sector using new knowledge, innovation and digitalization. [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 world is constantly changing, both in terms of consumption habits, consumption patterns or consumer attitudes. Therefore, producers must pay much more attention not only to the products obtained, but also to the way in which these products are promoted and reach these consumers. That is why the marketing techniques had to keep up with these changes and which led to the separation of new promotion channels and new ways of promotion, all with the aim of increasing sales. In this paper we aim to discuss sensory marketing that starts from the data provided through sensory analysis tests that aim to either identify sensitive points that appear in technological schemes or extend the life cycle of products, in the end, they aim at both consumer satisfaction and ensuring profit for producers. The research methodology involved reviewing the literature, collecting information through questionnaires to which the valid answers belonged to a number of 127 respondents. The data processing was done using descriptive statistical methods and the Likert scale, and the interpretation of the data allowed us to draw conclusions about how the relationship between sensory analysis and sensory marketing could be used so that the results are used as efficiently as possible. [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 the evolution of the surfaces where chemical fertilizers were used, total consumption of fertilizers and the average consumption per surface unit in Romania and also by micro-region of development in order to establish the trends in the use of the fertilizers, and its concentration degree in terms of Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, (HHI), Gini-Struck Index (GSI) and Coefficient of Concentration (CC). The empirical data were collected from National Institute of Statistics for the period 2007-2020. Romania's mineral fertilizer consumption accounts for 5% of the EU total consumption, for which the country is ranked the 7th after France, Germany, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy. Compared to the EU mean of 77.2 kg Nitrogen fertilizer consumed per ha UAA in the year 2018, Romania applied less than 60 kg, a level which is far away from over 100 kg used by Belgium, Netherlands, Czechia and Denmark. In 2020, the average consumption of mineral fertilizer in Romania reached 98.16 kg/ha, which is still lower than in the Western EU countries. In the year 2020, the average consumption in Romania was exceeded, in the descending order, only by the West, Bucharest-Ilfov, North West and South West Oltenia regions. If in 2007, it was observed an uniform consumption of fertilizers among the eight micro-regions of Romania, in 2020, a slight moderate concentration was noticed in terms of HHI, GSI and CC. The regions with the highest share in mineral fertilizer consumption in Romania, in the decreasing order, are: West, South Muntenia, South West Oltenia, North East, South East and North West regions. The EU policy regarding the sustainable development of agriculture reducing the use of chemical fertilizers for protecting environment, biodiversity and ensuring food safety is welcome, but it has to be adapted to the actual average consumption and also taking into account the local needs of each country regarding the growth of productivity, farmers' income and profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed tourist arrivals in tourist and agri-tourist guesthouses of Romania in the year 2020 compared to 2019 in order to evaluate in what measure this tourism indicator was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The data provided by National Institute of Statistics allow to establish the dispersion of tourist arrivals in the territory of the country by the eight microregions of development and also to quantify the levels of the specific concentration indices: Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, Gini-Struck Index and Coefficient of Concentration. After the year 2019, which reached the top arrivals, overnight stays and receipts in Romania's tourism, the year 2020 brought the Covid-19 pandemic which has disturbed tourism performance. However, in Romania the effects on tourism industry were lower than in other countries. In the periods of relaxation measures, tourists chose safe destinations for combining both the visits to objectives of high interest with tourist services of accommodation and meals at a convenient tariff. From this point of view, tourist and agri-tourist guesthouses were among the best alternatives, and they recorded a higher growth rate of tourist arrivals than at the national level in tourism industry. In 2019, tourist arrivals were higher in the tourist pensions located in the Center, North West, North East and West parts of the country, and in agri-tourist pensions situated in Center, North East, and North West. In 2020, the guesthouses situated in Centre, North West and North East regions registered the highest tourist arrivals. A moderate concentration of the arrivals was confirmed by the values of Herfindahl-Hirschman index which varied between 0.15 and 0.25, by the values of Gini-Struck index which were higher than 0.3 in the year 2019, but a little lower than 0.3 in 2020, and the values of Concentration coefficient which were higher than 0.33. Due to the reduced arrivals in 2020, all the concentration indices had lower values than in the year 2019. As final conclusion, in Romania, it is a moderate concentration of tourist arrivals, and even thou in 2020 there were problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, tourist and agri-tourist guesthouses were an alternative for accommodation and meals, harmoniously combining the need of safety with the desire to visit the tourist attractions of high interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose in carrying out this paper is to convey the way in which tourism is influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors in relation to climatic elements. Behind this paper is a careful documentation on each element presented, concrete information and close to the truth in order to create a precise picture of the relationship between climate and tourism in Sinaia. Climatic data provided by National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology and also the statistical data provided by National Institute of Statistics were used. Following the processing of statistical data, it was found that the favorable climatic factors, characteristics for each season and the specific tourist infrastructure are elements that ensure tourist flows throughout the year. The qualitative aspects in this research were studied based on current scientific literature, official documents and observation method, and the quantitative research was carried out using statistical analysis of the processed data, graphic and cartographic method, the method of observation and interpretation. The results were presented in tables, graphs and then interpreted and analyzed. Data used in this study are part of the textbook on the desk. Being one of the most spectacular mountain areas in Romania, recognized internationally by the satisfaction of tourists who arrive in these lands, this paper aims to highlight the favorable climate conditions in relation to tourism in Sinaia considered the "pearl" of the mountain resorts in the Prahova Valley. This paper presents the capitalization of tourism potential, which highlights the number of tourists arriving in the two resorts, in the period 2009-2019. Also, the private accommodation infrastructure and the number of main accommodation units, hotels and pensions are presented in detail, the typology of hotels according to the degree of comfort and the presentation of tourism in the hot and cold period of the year. Finally, we find the conclusions that highlight the main ideas that emerged from the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the number of animal holdings, their structure by species and size class and also the average farm size based on the data provided by Eurostat and National Institute of Statistics. Fixed and structural indices as well as comparisons were the main statistical tools to assess the results. Romania has a high number of animal farms being on the top position in the EU, but the smallest farm size. The decline of bovine, swine and poultry livestock has relatively contributed to the growth of farm size and production efficiency. About 72.7% of agricultural holdings have land and animals and 23.3% rear only animals. Individual holdings are dominant and keep 86.9% bovine farms, 53% pig farms, 93.3% sheep farms, 95.1% goats farms and 67.4% poultry farms. Commercial holdings represent 44.4% of pig farms and 31.7% of poultry farms de very small percentages in case of the other species. At the national level, the average farm size of animal farms is: 3.4 bovines, 2.4 dairy cows, 3.2 pigs, 43.7 sheep, 10.6 goats and 31.6 poultry. A smaller average farm size is in the individual holdings: 2.9 bovines, 2.2 dairy cows, 1.7 pigs, 41.3 sheep, 10.1 goats and 18.7 poultry. Commercial companies have in average a higher average size: 211 bovines, 97.8 dairy cows, 7,878 pigs, 942.6 sheep, 181.7 goats and 96,009.2 poultry. The gap between individual and commercial holdings is difficult to be reduced, as long as farm concentration is a slow process. The decline in livestock, farmers aging and the new modern farms established with EU financial support are expecting to contribute to the improvement of farm structures in animal sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to study the purchase habits and behavior of the young generation regarding consumption of organic products. For this purpose, literature in the field was studied regarding the EU organic production and consumption. In order to determine the young Romanian consumers' perception concerning the organic products, a field survey based on a questionnaire was run during March -June 2021 on a sample consisting of 191 students from Sibiu and Brăila. Organic agriculture is a dynamic system in Romania, registering in the last 10 years an ascending trend, from 182,706 ha in 2010 to 468,887.05 ha in 2020. The organic products are consumed by the 90.6 % of the young people investigated (173 persons). They purchased organic products mainly form local markets (81.15%), super (80 %) or hypemarket (70.1%). Also, an amount of 66 % respondents use to buy organic products from specialised stories. The young generation believes that the most effective way to promote the consumption of organic products are: events organised in hyper or supermarket, specialised fairs for organic products, events like "open doors" at ecological operators. The students who were part of the target group of this study are in the category of well-informed consumers. They know how to recognize organic products by the existing marks on the packaging (69.6%). Young people say the main qualities of organic products are: healthy (93.2%), tasty (71.2%), contain fewer chemicals (61.8%), improve quality of life (51.3%), do not contain synthetic additives (48.7%). At the same time, organic products protect the environment (45%), support family farming (40.3%) and the local economy (40.3 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studied the dynamics of the economic value of pollination in Romania's orchards taking into account the main trees species producing fruits: plum, apple, cherry, apricot, pear and peach fruit trees in the period 2011- 2020. The data provided by National Institute of Statistics were used to quantify fruit production and value based on the average annual purchase price, and the economic value of fruit production produced by pollinators, taking into consideration de dependence degree by fruit tree species. After a period of decline, fruit tree growing has recovered especially during the last years making investments in new plantations of apple, plum, cherry, peach trees etc. In 2020, Romania had 138,000 ha of orchards, over 74 million fruit trees, a fruit production of 1.6 million tons of which 93.33% came from the six main fruit tree species: plum (48.4%), apple (34.4%), cherry(4.6%), pear (3.09%), apricot (1.74%) and peach trees (1%).The total value of fruit production from the six species accounted for Euro 1,303.69 Million at purchase price, being by 42.2% higher than in 2011. The results proved that the pollination economic value contributed by Euro 1,032 Million, that is by about 80% to fruit production value in 2020, which reflects how important is insect pollination in fruit trees growing. In 2020, the economic value of pollination per fruit tree accounted for: Euro 12.2 for plum tree, Euro 15.7 per apple tree, Euro 13.2 per pear tree, Euro 12.4 per peach tree, Euro 26.6 per cherry tree and Euro 14.5 per apricot tree. Therefore, the entomophilous fauna has to be preserved not only for biodiversity conservation but mainly for helping the sustainable development of fruit tree growing to produce more and of higher quality. [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]

In this paper we set out to analyze the need to monitor the "water footprint", starting from the fact that water is an indispensable resource for the development of life, and its lack is one of the biggest problems facing the world today, one of the biggest concerns and, at the same time, one of the biggest challenges. Water scarcity is a risk both for the economy and for communities and ecosystems, being influenced by climate change, but also by the irresponsible behaviour of people. Finding solutions to protect this resource is a concern of the modern world in trying to protect sustainable development. The research methodology involved the analysis of the literature, data collection and processing, formulating opinions and conclusions on how to apply smart development principles to find viable solutions to reduce the "water footprint". [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 honey production in the EU-28 in the period 2008-2019 using the data provided by FAOstat. Regression equations and average annual growth rate have pointed out a general increasing trend in honey production both at the EU level and in almost all member states. In 2019, the EU produced 280 thousand tonnes honey, of which 76.44% was carried out by the largest producing countries: Spain, Romania, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Poland, France, Italy, Bulgaria with over 10, 000 tonnes per year. Other countries like Portugal, United Kingdom, Czechia, Croatia, Austria had a moderate production ranging between 5 and 10 tonnes per year, and their share accounted for 12.07%. The remaining of 11.49% was assured by the other 12 countries. The average growth rate of honey production was 3.07 at the EU-28 level, but the highest growth of over 6% was registered in the Baltic countries, Croatia and Italy, and a moderate growth rate varying between 4 and 6% was recorded in the main producing countries and also by Czechia. Spain, France and Bulgaria had growth rates below 2%. In Denmark production stagnated, and in Austria, Ireland and Slovakia declined. Important EU funds are destined for the implementation of the national apiculture programmes 2020-2022 for sustainable beekeeping development, enhancing technical endowment, improving apiculturists' education level, sustaining young apiculturists, increasing the number of beehives and honey production level and quality and for assuring healthy and strong bee colonies. Bees have to continue to support agricultural production by pollination, rural areas development, a clean environment, balanced ecosystems and biodiversity preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]