Trade characteristics of new member states’ agriculture

Abstract

New member states (NMS) joined the European Union (EU) in 2004 or later. They became a part of the common, unified market. Without any trade restrictions, NMS were able to trade with every member state. On the other hand, generous support of the Common Agricultural Policy also boosted their agricultural sector. This paper gives an overview of the OMS’ agricultural performance, followed by a detailed trade analysis. It identifies major export products and the concentration of trade. Agricultural trade will be separated into NMS and old member states (OMS) to reveal differences and similarities in the trade patterns.