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The agri-food sector stands as a fundamental pillar of the European Union's economic framework, essential for sustaining the region's population and playing a significant role in the overall economic health and stability of the EU. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of labor productivity trends in the EU's agri-food sector over the past decade, focusing on a comparative assessment between Romania and top-performing EU economies. Using data from Eurostat and national databases, we explore the dynamics of labor productivity, considering factors such as turnover, number of enterprises, and employment levels in the agri-food industry. The research reveals significant disparities in productivity growth, with countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium showing high productivity levels, while Romania, despite a notable improvement, remains below the EU average. The study underscores the importance of strategic investments and policy interventions in boosting productivity and competitiveness in the agri-food sector across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study provides an in-depth analysis of employment trends within the European Union's meat processing industry over a ten-year period, from 2011 to 2020. It specifically focuses on companies across various employee size categories, emphasizing Romania's position within these dynamics. The research employs comprehensive data from Eurostat, assessing changes in the labour force across different company sizes and countries. The study uncovers notable variances in labour force evolution, reflecting the distinct impacts of economic conditions, industry-specific factors, and regulatory frameworks in each nation. Germany exhibited a significant rise in its labour force in larger companies, while Spain showed the highest growth rate, more than doubling its labour force in this sector. Contrarily, Poland experienced a minor decrease, illustrating a different trend. Italy and Romania both marked considerable growths, with Romania demonstrating notable progress, particularly in larger companies. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of labour dynamics in the EU meat processing industry, influenced by a complex interplay of market demand, technological advancements, and economic policies. The study underscores the sector's essential role in the EU's economy and the need for adaptable labour force strategies in response to changing industry landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food loss ans waste, referred next as FLW, has a great extent on the economic and behavioural patterns of consumption. In this paper, we aim to present statistical univariate and multivariate analyses based on a statistical study run during a period of several months in the Romanian territory. In this matter, the main purpose of the analysis developed in this paper is to determine several patterns of FLW phenomenon. This is made based on a methodology which comprises two main sections: the univariate analysis, consisting in statistical determinations of indicators and direct observation, and the multivariate analysis, related to the clustering analysis. The clustering analysis is based on the usage of hierarchical method, which has as final result the determination of clusters describing patterns of consumption related to food loss and waste. After the analysis was run, five main clusters related to food waste behaviour patterns were determined, with slight differences between food consumption habits, but with various combinations between the parameters taken into consideration. The obtained clusters offer important information for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to customize interventions and programs to target specific demographic groups or segments of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism, as a form of spending free time, has undergone numerous transformations in the last period of time, this is due both to globalization that contributed to the internationalization of tourist experiences, but also to recent events (such as the Covid-19 pandemic, economic crises, etc), but also changing the perception of tourism consumers regarding how they can spend their free time. Traditional or well-known destinations have started to face overcrowding, which is starting to be felt negatively by both residents and visitors who are starting to change their consumption habits regarding the locations they choose as tourist destinations. On the other hand, the challenges of the modern world regarding the effects of global warming, the sharp increase in the population, the depletion of planetary resources, but also the much greater concerns of the current generations regarding these aspects, make the choices we make regarding the choice leisure destinations to change and become more responsible. In this context, creative tourism as an increasingly sought-after option, among a growing category of consumers. In this paper, we set out to analyze the perception that tourism consumers in Romania have regarding this form of tourism. The research assumed, on the one hand, a bibliographic analysis regarding the term creative tourism and how this notion has evolved from the moment of its definition as a form of tourism in the 2000s until now, as well as from a study of case based on the application of a questionnaire to measure the perception of consumers regarding this form of tourism, but especially on the awareness of its existence. The questionnaire had 16 questions answered by 124 respondents. The data were centralized and interpreted with the help of the Excel program, the results highlighting the fact that although some of the respondents practice creative tourism, it is quite little known as a concept. The answers given by the study participants highlighted the fact that they are interested in practicing activities integrated into creative tourism, considering that there are many advantages both regarding the experiences they create, with the interactions they establish with the locals or with the other participants. At the same time, the impact that creative tourism practices have at the local level (both economic and social) is recognized. We consider that these results are useful not only at the micro level, but also at the macro level, under the conditions that the development strategies of the field of hospitality will be thought in such a way as to promote, integrate and develop this form of contemporary tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addressing the critical interplay between market dynamics and food security within Romania's swine meat market, amidst evolving economic and social challenges, the research aimed to elucidate the roles of elasticity dynamics and trade balance performance in ensuring a high food security level. Utilizing data from 2011 to 2022, the analysis employed key elasticity metrics--price elasticity of demand (PED), income elasticity of demand (IED), factor elasticity of demand (FED), and income elasticity of the swine meat trade balance's deficit (IET)--to dissect the complex interactions configuring demand, supply, and international trade dependencies. The methodology was grounded on quantitative analyses, contrasting year-over-year and base-year elasticities to capture both immediate and longitudinal market responses to socio-economic stimuli. This detailed approach uncovered pertinent findings: despite general price inelasticity in swine meat demand, significant fluctuations in response to income changes and production factors were observed, with 2015 marking a year of heightened sensitivity due to external factors like the African swine fever outbreak. This study underscores the imperative of leveraging elasticity analyses to inform the development of agricultural policies aimed at enhancing domestic production, managing trade deficits, and ultimately reinforcing Romania's food security socio-economic infrastructure against the backdrop of global market volatilities and domestic supply constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]