COVID-19 Impact on the Agriculture Sector and the Power of Clusters. Romania Case Study

• Main Author: Cristiana Ioana Șerbănel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ovidius University Press 2020-01-01
• Series: Ovidius University Annals: Economic Sciences Series
• Subjects: agriculture; covid-19; romania; agro-based clusters; spatial proximity
• Online Access: https://stec.univ-ovidius.ro/html/anale/RO/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Section%203/53.pdf

This paper yields current understandings about the impact of COVID-19 on overall Romanian' exports, focusing on the agricultural sector. Up to the latest data, the value of exports registers an overall downturn in 2020. Notwithstanding, the agriculture sector seems to maintain 2019 values or even register moderate growth. At the European Union (EU) level, several measures have been implemented to alleviate the pandemic's impact: seasonal workers were recognized as critical workers, there were created "green lanes" to allow the flow of food, the administration was simplified, and there was provided significant financial aid. Being a cluster member certainly involve benefits - gathering knowledge and multi-level competencies. As the qualitative research revealed, the European Cluster members received support and had access to virtual events specially organized for the agricultural producers to overcome the pandemic effects. There is no evidence of such measures at the Romanian level.