Production performances in agriculture of the Western Balkan countries in the transition process

Abstract

The paper analyzes the transformation of the agricultural sector and agricultural production performance of the Western Balkan countries in the period 1992-2007. Specified period is determined by the availability of comparable data for most countries, and may be considered relevant to the analysis of the transition process. The analysis of production performances includes dynamics of agricultural production and the levels and trends in the partial productivity of agriculture-the labor and land productivity. All indicators are calculated for the region and separately for each country, and the comparison has been made with the European Union. Performed analysis shows poor performance of agricultural production of Western Balkan countries to the European Union. Comparison detected differences between the countries of the region are significant. Low level of productivity, primarily labor productivity is, of course in addition to other factors, one of the main factors of lower levels of agricultural competitiveness in the Western Balkan countries compare to the European Union.