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Abstract
The paper describes and analyzes the changes in Slovenian agro-food
sector in the period 1992-2006 with more emphasis on the years after 2000 in the
light of accession to the European Union (EU). The accession has not caused any
major difficulties in the Slovenian agriculture as a whole. Such an outcome can be
attributed to the fact that the objectives and mechanisms of Slovenian agricultural
policy were gradually brought into line with the Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP) already in the pre-accession period. Therefore, the adoption of the CAP on
accession largely meant a continuation of the measures pursued under the national
agricultural policy, but with higher funds for the agricultural support. The
agricultural income remained at the relatively high level compared with the
previous years and the analyses of the main factors determining income revealed
the continuation of trends typical for the period after 1999 – a slightly upward trend
in the agricultural output volume, a downward trend in the producer prices of
agricultural products and an intensive upward trend in the subsidies for farmers.
The most evident changes that could be attributed directly to the EU accession may
be observed in the agro-food trade. Slovenia is traditionally a net food importer.
However, abolishing customs protection on the imports from the EU and a rise in
the customs duties levied on the exports to the third countries after the accession
has increased the trade deficit to the highest level so far. Trade was somewhat
reoriented from other countries to EU Member States, especially on the export side.
Opening up the market after the accession increased a competitive pressure on the
food industry and the business performance of the sector deteriorated significantly.
The Slovenian agro-food chain is faced with some important challenges. The problem of relatively poor competitiveness of the sector has not yet been solved,
and comprehensive structural changes and adjustments are still needed.