An analysis of Moldova's agri-food products competitiveness on the EU market

The paper presents the competitive advantages and disadvantages of Moldova's agri-food products and its potential on the EU market. In this context, the changes in the agri-food trade structure and pattern trade flows are analyzed. In the given research secondary data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics is used. The study analyzestime series from the period 2001-2014. The analysis includes data of the 24 groups of commodities belonging to agricultural and food products according to the international nomenclature for the classification of products Harmonized Sections 2012 in two digits (HS 01-24). For assessing the competitiveness of the Moldova's agri-food products on the EU market the RTA index is calculated. The obtained results reveal which commodities chapters are competitive, which do not have revealed trade advantages and to those which have some potential and its competitiveness could be improved. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.