# A comparative analysis of diversification of agricultural production among EU candidate countries and Eastern Partnership countries: An international perspective

## TL;DR

This study compares agricultural production diversity in EU candidate and Eastern Partnership countries, identifying key players and their strengths in plant and animal products.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a comparative framework using cluster analysis and composite indicators to assess agricultural diversification in Eastern European countries.

## Key findings

- Belarus and Türkiye show the highest agricultural production potential.
- Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine dominate the grain market.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Montenegro have less significant agricultural sectors.

## Abstract

The volume and structure of agricultural production depend on many different factors, including environmental, climatic, weather, economic, development potential of the agricultural sector, but also on historical conditions, etc. This study aimed to determine the diversification of the obtained agricultural production per capita of the EU candidate countries (CC) and the Eastern Partnership countries (EPC), presenting the potential of the analysed countries in terms of selected products in the field of plant and animal production, as well as to present quantitative changes in production in the years 2011–2021. Food self-sufficiency indicators, cluster analysis using Ward’s method, a synthetic measure of agricultural production development and a composite indicator were applied in the study, to show the diversity and position of the surveyed countries in terms of agricultural production per capita. The research revealed that Belarus and Türkiye have the highest agricultural production potential. Belarus has the potential to be competitive on the market mainly of animal products. Three countries dominate the grain market: Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine. Countries where the agricultural sector does not play a significant role are primarily Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Montenegro.