CAP impact on agricultural exportation - assessment and problems

Y. Slavova

Abstract: In the article an assessment has been made of CAP impact on Bulgarian agricultural exportation development and structure; the positive and some negative effects from the exportation restructuring have been outlined. The support of Bulgarian agriculture through European funds, in terms of direct payments per area unit (SAPS) and national complementary payments, has favourable effect on the production and exportation of the most supported sectors. Agricultural exportation has grown 2.6 times for five years. Its share in the national exportation structure has also increased from 8.8% for 2006 to 17.2% for 2010. After the EU accession of the country has been observed a fast restructuring of agricultural exportation, both by sectors and by commodity groups. Leading position has the sector of non-processed goods of vegetal origin – 46.8%, included cereals – 21%, oil seeds – 18%. The processed products, having higher added value, decrease their share. The exportation of wine, meat, meat products and food products, based on wheat crops, also decreases. Within EU, our main trade partners rearrange their places. Spain, Germany and France diminish their shares at the expense of Romania, which imports almost 30% of our agricultural exportation. Conclusions have been made about the presence of direct proportion between the increasing support for the cereals and oil seeds producers and the agricultural exportation’s growth. The grain exportation is more ineffective than the exportation of processed into animal production grain. The grain and sunflower productions are more strongly dependent on climatic conditions than the processed goods. The way of subsidies distribution does not stimulate the agricultural goods production, for which Bulgaria has specific favourable conditions – products with national identity and traditions in production and exportation. We would benefit from a policy aiming the definition of sectors and products forming our image on the European and world market, based on future competitive advantages and supporting viable rural areas.

Keywords: CAP; export; import; market share; structure

Date published: 2018-03-06