Trend in producer prices for agricultural products in Romania and EU

Even though in Romania horticulture constitutes a traditional activity of great economic importance, developed over time as a result of favorable natural conditions that are available, however, imports of vegetables and fruits is much higher than exports. The horticultural sector is facing very serious problems, both due to the fact that Romanian fruits and vegetables do not meet quality standards as well as due to the marketing activity in the sector. This paper aims to highlight the high volatility of the average price in the Mehedinti County towards the national level during the period 1990-2013, and also the evolution of producer prices for agricultural products in the European Union between 1997-2012. Dynamic study of the price series has led to the formulation of a high risk character (for beneficiaries/consumers) of horticultural products price developments as well as for manufacturers/dealers. For the latter it is a less significant risk because as prices rise from month to month, they are in advantage (stock holder trader). Statistical analysis of the data shows that over the whole time interval, in Romania the rise of average producer prices for agricultural products has achieved one of the highest rates in the European Union.