ISHS Acta Horticulturae 524: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 14: Horticultural Economics at Micro and Macro Level, International Trade and Marketing, International Cooperative Programs, Relations between Research, Development, Extension and Education
TRADE BETWEEN SLOVENIA AND THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT MEMBER COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES |
| Author: | S. Bojnec |
| Keywords: | Central Europe, free trade area, international marketing, Slovenia, trade |
| Abstract:
This paper investigates Slovene trade in fruit and vegetables resulting from the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Trade regimes for fruit and vegetables between Slovenia and the CEFTA member countries (e.g., the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Poland and Romania) are compared to asses trade policy changes and trade developments affected by the implementation of CEFTA and Slovene membership. Slovenia is a net importer of citrus fruit as well as of fresh vegetables over the winter period while domestic production covers the domestic needs for most continental fruits (e.g., apples, pears, peaches, cherries). Horticultural production consists of both large-scale commercial production of fruits and small-scale and garden production of fruit and vegetables. The latter production is mainly for own-consumption needs of households. Trade liberalisation through tariff reduction between Slovenia and the CEFTA member countries has been rather modest. Evidence suggest that - because CEFTA member countries and Slovenia share similar weather conditions and hence a similar product mix - quality, price competitiveness, marketing and post-harvest handling are the main factors contributing to trade creation and trade diversification. | |
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