The article examines how the agricultural sector evolved in Central and Eastern European countries following their accession to the European Union. The goal is to identify which of these changes could improve Ukraine’s agricultural policy.
It has been established that after joining the EU, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania pursued different paths of agricultural development. These differences were influenced by economic conditions, state policies, and the effectiveness of public institutions. The practical implementation of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) also played a significant role.
It is emphasized that Poland became an example of successful integration into the European agricultural space. Its development was driven by modernizing the sector’s structure, introducing new technologies, and diversifying production. It is highlighted that the steady growth of Polish farmers’ incomes demonstrates the effective use of CAP instruments and the efficiency of government policy.
Hungary, on the other hand, shows the opposite trend. Its agricultural sector is developing slowly due to an inefficient land market and limited technological renewal. Based on this country’s experience, it is determined that financial assistance alone does not ensure sustainable growth in competitiveness.
It is observed that Romania faces institutional problems — an imperfect land cadastre, limited access to credit for farmers, and weak cooperation. It is emphasized that Romania’s example proves that accession to the European CAP alone does not guarantee economic stability without systematic internal reforms.
Slovakia is reported to have high labor productivity; however, its production structure is inflexible. This complicates the agricultural sector’s adaptation to market changes.
A comparative analysis shows that after joining the EU, Ukraine’s neighboring countries developed in different ways. It has been established that the success of integration depends not so much on the amount of funding as on effective management, transparency, and clarity in the functioning of public institutions.
It is emphasized that the experience of these countries is of practical importance to Ukraine. It demonstrates that an effective agricultural policy must be based on structural reforms, technological modernization, and support for small and medium-sized farmers. It is determined that such an approach will help increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian agriculture, strengthen food security, and ensure the sustainable development of rural areas in the future.
