The paper estimates the firm level impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) investment subsidies on gross value added, profits, employment, and productivity of farms in Slovakia, and evaluates the effectiveness of support provided through the Rural Development Programme. We employ a Propensity Score Matching Difference-in-Differences econometric approach on a database of commercial farms for the period 2006-2015. The results of this paper show that the farm investment support stimulated growth of gross value added, farm profits, and employment in the agricultural sector, while it reduced labour productivity. Investment support helped to maintain rural jobs, which occurred partly at the expense of labour productivity. The paper stresses high deadweight costs of investment support within the CAP, which should be considered when planning and implementing new CAP interventions.
Mongolia, endowed with abundant natural resources, faces a critical challenge in reducing its reliance on the mining sector and achieving economic diversification. This study aims to identify the potential for economic diversification by developing the non-mining processing industry. To this end, a Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) analysis and value chain mapping were employed. The RCA results highlight the importance of livestock-derived products and recognise the livestock sector as having the best potential for achieving economic diversification. Consequently, the value chain of livestock-derived products was mapped, and key challenges at each stage were identified. The study provides actionable recommendations for developing this value chain. The findings underscore that the value chain of livestock-derived products encounters numerous obstacles that must be addressed to build a competitive sector. Key strategies for addressing the issues throughout the value chain include improving animal health, ensuring compliance with good practices and standards, and enhancing competitiveness through advanced technologies, increased financial and investment support, and improved logistics and infrastructure.
This paper draws implications of Trump's re-election for the U.S. agri-food sector and in turn international agri-food trade. It begins with a historical perspective on U.S. agri-food trade and its role in world markets. It then turns to a review of Trump policies during his first term as President, 2017-21, and the significant market losses American farmers suffered during his first term. Despite these losses, farmers were an important constituency in re-electing Donald Trump President in 2024. The next section discusses American farmer attitudes and the sources of their continuing support for Trump in the 2024 election. This is followed by a critical review of what Donald Trump fails to recognise (or chooses to ignore) about international economics and the agri-food sector. The paper then reviews Trump's policy announcements in the first four months back in office and draws inferences for American agriculture and the global agri-food sector in an environment that might best be described as navigating uncertainty.
This study aims to examine the economic impacts of phasing out enriched cages in Hungarian table egg production. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among 42 enriched cage egg producers and in-depth interviews were carried out with barn and aviary egg producers, as well as a company specialised in designing and implementing housing systems for laying hens, using economic and physical efficiency data for the year 2021 from egg producers. Economic situation was examined via a simulation model, which was based on on deterministic principles. The results indicate that aviary and barn housing systems exhibit lower physical efficiency and weaker economic indicators when compared to the enriched cage housing system. Aviaries and barns showed reduced egg production per hen (-7% and -12%, respectively), increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) (+17% and +24%), reduced labour efficiency (-40% in both cases), and increased mortality rate (+2.49 and +3.31 percentage points). Key determinants of unit gross margin alterations were found to be egg production per hen, the share of class 'A' eggs, FCR, and pullet acquisition cost. Aviary housing systems proved as profitable as enriched cage systems in terms of gross margin per egg, whereas barn housing systems were unprofitable based on 2021 data. However, those barn eggs producers who sell directly to consumers can still be profitable. The investment payback periods of enriched cage (7 years) and aviary (10 years) housing system differ. In conclusion, aviaries and barns could not outperform the enriched cage housing system in economic terms.
Deepening and expanding agricultural trade patterns require institutional and infrastructural investments that have to compete with other country and regional priorities such as expenditure on poverty alleviation and adaptation to, and mitigation of, the effects of climate change. As a result, arguments for expenditure on trade facilitation and on trade infrastructure need to be evidence-based. In this article we provide an overview of the wide range of challenges facing the Southern African region, then present two case studies that illustrate the benefits of investment in trade infrastructure. A reduction of 25% in the cost of regional trade in maize benefits producers and consumers, while reducing the cost of exporting citrus from South Africa leads to a 4.1% annual gain in revenue to producers.
This study explores the link between trade and sustainability, focusing on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures within the WTO framework. It highlights the importance of Specific Trade Concerns (STCs) as a dispute management tool and their gation), and Senegal-EU (mango exports) - the paper identifies divergent, negotiable trade-offs, and cooperative behaviours among trading partners. The study applies the Theory of Change (ToC) framework to the three STCs to assess the effectiveness of linking trade with sustainability goals. Findings reveal that sustainability considerations are critical for resolving STCs and achieving policy coherence and integration. The EU-Senegal case demonstrates ToC alignment, showcasing the success of a cooperative approach in addressing sustainability. In contrast, unsolved issues in the EU-China and EU-India cases highlight faults in sustainability integration. The study underlines STCs' potential for modernising the WTO by fostering the linkages between trade and sustainability through institutional change.
Global agri-food trade is undergoing profound structural change, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, climate-related shocks, and evolving market dynamics. Agri-food trade has become central to food security, shaping access and availability across diverse regions. Recent trends indicate a modest resurgence in agricultural trade as a share of total global trade and a growing regionalisation of trade flows. While the European Union and Brazil have consolidated surplus positions through strategic policy alignment and export diversification, the United States faces declining competitiveness, trade stagnation, and a widening import gap. Simultaneously, China has emerged as the leading global importer, reshaping trade relationships and intensifying competition among suppliers. The volatility induced by trade wars, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine has been compounded by the proliferation of trade restrictions, which pose acute risks for import-dependent countries. These developments underscore the fragility of global food systems and the strategic implications of trade balances. As trade agreements are reconfigured and economic nationalism rises, long-term sustainability will hinge on investments in domestic agricultural capacity, modern infrastructure, and multilateral cooperation. Future trajectories of agri-food trade will be shaped by structural shifts in global demand, persistent trade costs-including tariffs, transportation bottlenecks, and non-tariff measures-and the increasingly complex intersection of environmental regulation and market access. With agricultural production projected to increase by over 21% globally in the next decade, addressing the compound pressures of geopolitical fragmentation and climate change will be essential to maintaining stable, equitable, and sustainable food systems.
Global chicken meat production has continued to expand, reaching a record 103.8 million tons in 2023, representing a 1.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. Benchmarking and comparative farm-level analyses provide valuable insights for assessing performance at national, regional, and global levels. The agri benchmark Poultry Network applies the typical farm approach, working in collaboration with international research partners, producers, and local experts to collect and validate standardised farm-level data using harmonised procedures and a simulation model. This study analyses global chicken meat production systems and the conditions shaping them. It examines their economic aspects and identifies key critical success factors influencing production efficiency. The study reveals that high feed-use efficiency and farm performance in broiler production is often attributed to a combination of three factors which include: the rearing of high-quality chicks, the use of high-quality feed, and good animal husbandry practices. The study identifies feed and day-old chicks' costs as the most important cost components for all typical farms included in the agri benchmark poultry network. A farm's competitiveness in terms of production costs is therefore heavily dependent on its ability to effectively manage feed and day-old chick costs.
Alcohol misuse has been a persistent challenge in Hungary, and the COVID 19 pandemic intensified the complexities of how people respond to collective stress. This study offers several new insights into the problem. First, drawing on a nationally representative survey of Hungarian adults, we move beyond broad patterns to pinpoint which demographic and social factors most influenced alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The analysis shows that increased drinking was more common among older adults and women, and among those experiencing financial hardship, while caregiving responsibilities (children under 14 in the household) were associated with a greater likelihood of increase rather than protection. Second, this research deepens understanding by applying Schwartz's Theory of Basic Human Values in combination with a Heckman selection model. This approach distinguishes not only who drinks, but also how intrinsic values shape drinking behaviour under stress. Disaggregating the ten basic values reveals that Power (status/dominance) was a robust predictor of increased alcohol use across models; Achievement (competence/goal attainment) showed a modest protective tendency; and Hedonism, net of thrill seeking and status, was negatively associated with escalation. In contrast, social focus values (e.g., benevolence, universalism, tradition) did not consistently predict change once other values and covariates were considered. Finally, the study provides practical guidance for policymakers. The findings suggest that reducing alcohol misuse will require more than rules or information campaigns: value tailored strategies (e.g., framing moderation as professionalism for Power oriented groups, emphasising performance for Achievement, and promoting mindful "savouring" for Hedonism) should be paired with supports that mitigate economic stress. Attention must also be given to the ways risk behaviours cluster and how financial strain can make communities more vulnerable.
Climate change leads to various impacts, including reduced production, lower crop yields, land degradation, soil erosion, and overall, food insecurity. It is projected that by 2080, between 5 million and 170 million people could encounter serious food shortages. Currently, approximately 5 million people are experiencing inadequate access to food in Central Asia. This study investigates the impact of climate change on food security in Central Asia by using panel data analysis for five Central Asian countries between 2000 and 2020. The findings indicate that weather shocks negatively affect food security dimensions. Based on the findings, the authors recommend improving education on adapting the agricultural sector to climate change, implementing technological improvements, and transitioning to sustainable agriculture.
This study investigates the classification of the family farmers' perceptions of success, based on characteristics and resources. The empirical analysis was undertaken on primary data collected via a questionnaire completed by family farmers in Finland. The most important variables in the classification are identified using the C5.0 decision tree algorithm. The algorithm performs with an approximately 16% error rate. In the classification of family farmers' perceptions of success, farm characteristics are of minor importance, whereas the most important variables relate to resources and skills. The most important variables classifying perceptions of success are skills for exploiting opportunities, funding opportunities, and technology, machinery and equipment. The importance of the factors of resources (capital, capability, organisational, skills) are interpreted, together with factors of success (financial, self-realisation, growth and family). This study provides a further indication of the potential of the methodology to highlight the role played by farm characteristics and resources in family farm success.
Rather than supporting small agricultural households and rural communities, governments frequently prioritise top-down, extractive, and resource-intensive approaches to agricultural development. This tendency promotes the expansion of large agricultural holdings, which increasingly undermines the viability of smaller farms. As access to land becomes more difficult and land-related inequality escalates, concerns regarding the sustainability of rural communities intensify. It is crucial for all stakeholders - policymakers, agricultural economists, researchers, and those involved in rural development and land use policies - to acknowledge their responsibilities and address these urgent issues proactively. This study employs the Gini coefficient to examine the fairness of accessibility to agricultural land use at the county level in Estonia. The findings indicate a decline in the number of agricultural households, coinciding with a rapid increase in the average land utilised per holding. Larger agricultural holdings are expanding their use of agricultural land, while smaller holdings are experiencing a reduction in their share. As of 2023, just 1% of all agricultural holdings in Estonia managed to utilise 31% of the total agricultural land area, whereas 74% of holdings accounted for only 9% of the area. These results underscore the pressing need to address issues of land concentration and inequality, underscoring the necessity for substantial changes in political, economic, and legal frameworks to ensure a fair and sustainable distribution of agricultural land.
This paper examines the evolution of China's agri-food trade over the past two decades amid increasing global uncertainty. Using a combination of quantitative trade data and qualitative policy analysis from 2000 to 2023, it explores how China has navigated crises such as the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical tensions. The findings highlight that China's agri-food trade growth has been driven by trade liberalisation, domestic support policies, and a strategic focus on diversification and food security. However, challenges remain, including heavy import dependence, rising production costs, and environmental pressures. The study concludes that strengthening domestic capacity, investing in green innovation, and expanding trade partnerships are critical for long-term food system stability. These insights offer valuable lessons for other agricultural economies striving for greater resilience in a volatile global environment.
Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are a model promoted among farmers in many countries. This model is popularised as an opportunity to increase the economic efficiency. However, the research results found in the literature are ambiguous. This study therefore aims to assess the impact of participation in short food supply chains on the productivity and efficiency of farms. Poland and the Czech Republic are taken as examples of countries with a contrasting agrarian structure and different size classes of farms are investigated. Primary data come from semi-structured face-to-face interviews conducted among 375 producers divided into two groups - participating and not participating in SFSCs. The indices of productivity and non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) were applied to assess differences in efficiency for two groups mentioned above. It was demonstrated that in Poland small farms participating in SFSC achieve higher production efficiency than farms not participating in SFSC.
The Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) are responsible forthe flow of information, knowledge, and innovation between the actors of the agricultural and food sector, as well as between those engaged in education, research, and extension. Strengthening cooperation and interaction between actors has become a cross-cutting objective of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP Strategic Plans in the Member States aim to develop agriculture through two interventions (support of EIP operational groups and the provision of knowledge exchange and dissemination actions). However, the AKIS goes beyond the CAP support, as several additional actions and incentives under national competence are needed for a modern, knowledge-based agricultural economy and well-functioning AKIS. Each EU Member State has developed its own AKIS, according to its specific conditions and needs. Previous studies on the comparison of AKIS across Member States have attempted to collect and analyse the specificities of each Member State, mainly through primary data collection. These studies are less capable of providing an objective comparison ofAKIS systems in the Member States based on a common methodology. Although there are several indicator systems available to measure innovation performance, these indicator systems address the national/regional innovation performance but do not provide an adequate picture of the innovation performance of the agricultural economy. The aim of this study is to develop a framework for objective benchmarking of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems supporting the agricultural economy of each EU Member State. To this end, the authors have created the AKIS index.
Over the past quarter of a century, the European Union has transformed itself from a defensive agricultural trade player into the world's largest agri-food exporter and importer, driven by successive Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms and market-oriented adjustments. This paper traces the evolution of EU agri-trade, highlighting the role of decoupled payments, structural competitiveness, and diversification of trade flows. It assesses the EU's resilience to recent crises - from COVID-19 to energy shocks and the Ukraine war - while examining growing tensions between trade liberalisation, environmental standards, and geopolitical fragmentation. The analysis stresses the mounting challenges in reconciling climate goals with food security concerns and warns against regressive policy trends that ignore past reform achievements. Ultimately, the paper argues for maintaining evidence-based, market-oriented strategies to preserve the EU's global leadership in sustainable agri-trade amid rising demands for food sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
This article analyses the evolving role of Brazil in the global agri-food system within the context of rising geopolitical and geoeconomic instability. It explores how Brazil, a leading food producer and exporter, navigates the mounting challenges posed by climate change, shifting trade alliances, protectionist policies, and new sustain-ability standards, particularly those imposed by key partners. Drawing on statistical data, policy analysis, and a comprehensive literature review, the study develops a critical and exploratory framework to understand the implications of these dynamics for Brazil's agri-industrial sector. The paper traces Brazil's agricultural transformation since the 1970s, driven by technology adoption, productivity gains, and export orientation. Brazil has achieved global competitiveness in agricultural products; however, its trade revenues are still highly concentrated on a restricted set of agricultural products and largely dependent on a few large importing countries, especially China. This dependency raises vulnerability amid global trade tensions and demand shifts. Simultaneously, emerging environmental regulations like the EU's Deforestation Regulation introduce new compliance pressures, prompting the development of compliance and certification mechanisms. Although short-term gains have stemmed from geopolitical shifts such as the US-China trade war, long-term sustainability and market access hinge on Brazil's ability to meet evolving environmental and governance expectations. This paper also highlights Brazil's unique positioning as a "mid-level power" capable of leveraging its resource wealth, agri-food expertise, and diplomatic neutrality to play a pivotal role in a multipolar world. The paper concludes that Brazil's path forward must balance competitiveness with sustainability, deepen public-private institutional collaboration, and strategically diversify trade relations. Robust governance is essential to safeguard Brazils agri-food leadership amid intensifying global uncertainty.
This study examines the organisational readiness of the Hungarian agricultural and food industry to introduce and implement effective sustainability reporting regimes from a supply chain perspective, with a focus on knowledge exchange and practical partnerships with regulators and academic institutions. The methodology for this qualitative study was designed to capture the complexity of evolving sustain-ability reporting practices and organisational responses in Hungary's agri-food sector. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve companies, specifically selected as they are subject to the CSRD and EU Taxonomy. The findings reveal a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape in the approach to sustainability and ESG reporting within the Hungarian agro-food industry, underscoring its practical impact on corporate strategies and reporting. By embracing standardised measurement systems and supporting public-private collaboration, Hungarian agricultural companies-and the rural communities that depend on them-can achieve measurable, internationally-respected progress in sustainability, resource use, and market resilience. This study provides practical guidance for companies and policymakers, prioritising comprehensive data models for supply chain disclosures and planning for multi-year capabilities development.
The study aims to explore the role of social embeddedness in consumer shopping behaviour across different retail environments, with a particular focus on farmers’ markets. Drawing on a sample of 1,800 European consumers from Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom, the study examines apple purchase preferences regarding different product attributes (e.g., price, origin, quality certification) using a discrete choice experiment. A hybrid logit model is estimated to capture the impact of social embeddedness on purchase decisions. The results show that, across the three countries, farmers’ markets are the preferred outlet, more so than supermarkets or greengrocers, especially by those consumers who are most embedded in community relations. For Italian consumers, community and cultural aspects are key drivers of purchasing behaviour, while health and quality attributes are the most significant for their British counterparts. Hungarian respondents’ decisions are mostly influenced by price factors, although community-driven considerations also matter. The research confirms that farmers’ markets are not just places to buy food, but also community spaces where trust, personal connections, and local identity play a significant role. The findings have important theoretical, managerial, and policy implications, particularly for promoting more sustainable, community-based food systems, including short food supply chains.
Vietnam has been one of the three largest exporting countries in the global rice market in the recent decades. This study conducts an in-depth analysis of the impact of climate change on rice production in Vietnam from 2002 to 2022, focusing on key climatic variables such as temperature, rainfall, sunshine, and humidity. Located in the tropical and subtropical monsoon climate, Vietnam’s agricultural sector is acutely vulnerable to the growing challenges posed by climate variability. Employing robust empirical techniques, the research reveals significant correlations between climatic factors and rice yields. The findings demonstrate that rising maximum temperatures contribute positively to rice production while lowering minimum temperatures lead to reduced yields. Rainfall is shown to play a critical role in boosting productivity, whereas elevated humidity levels exert a detrimental effect. These results highlight the profound sensitivity of rice production to climatic changes, reinforcing the urgency for implementing adaptive measures and climate-resilient strategies to ensure the sustainability and stability of rice production in the face of a changing climate.
