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| SECTOR PERSPECTIVES
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Agrobusiness |
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Agrobusiness : a central role in the Mediterranean countries
Although in 1995 the Barcelona Declaration planned to establish a Euro-Mediterranean partnership, progress in terms of agricultural trade has remained limited, with agricultural products remaining excluded from the free trade area. |
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News of the sector |
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Agrobusiness
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Agrobusiness : a central role in the Mediterranean countries |
Although in 1995 the Barcelona Declaration planned to establish a Euro-Mediterranean partnership, progress in terms of agricultural trade has remained limited, with agricultural products remaining excluded from the free trade area. Often the main employer in a country, the agricultural sector is a veritable mine of opportunities. The sector is badly in need of modernisation, of better quality and greater efficacy, it lacks specialisation and rural or hydraulic infrastructures. The elimination or a simple drop in customs duties (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel…) is an extra advantage.
There is heavy dependence on the climate, hence the importance of irrigation. The construction of hydraulic infrastructures is often taken in charge by the State, with the support of international organisations, EIB and World Bank, so as to combat drought. Large investments have been made in this domain. Europe is the leading trade partner, especially as concerns cereals, dairy products, sugar and meat. On the other hand, the balance of trade is favourable to the Mediterranean countries for fresh fruit and vegetables and preparations based on these products. Turkey and Syria are the only States in the zone to boast self sufficiency in food. Cereals are often one of the main sources of production. However, the wine market remains relatively limited, as local consumption is low.
Europeans who decide to establish themselves in Mediterranean countries can, however, offer technological know-how. The spread of technology, in fact, plays an essential role in increasingly competitive markets. As far as intra-regional trade is concerned, it still remains marginal, except for Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Certain countries, like Algeria, or Morocco, have undertaken a process of liberalisation of the sector. The question of land ownership by foreigners remains unanswered in certain countries.
Production of wheat, in millions of tonnes, from the MEDA region (Eurostat) :
| Countries |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
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| Algeria |
2,28 |
1,1 |
0,76 |
1,98 |
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| Cyprus |
0,012 |
0,014 |
0,01 |
0,01 |
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| Egypt |
6,093 |
6,347 |
6,564 |
6,255 |
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| Israel |
0,155 |
0,029 |
0,094 |
0,16 |
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| Jordan |
0,036 |
0,009 |
0,025 |
0,03 |
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| Lebanon |
0,059 |
0,058 |
0,06 |
0,06 |
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| Morocco |
4,378 |
2,154 |
1,381 |
3,316 |
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| Palestinian Authority |
0,031 |
0,031 |
0,031 |
0,031 |
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| Syria |
4,112 |
2,692 |
3,105 |
4,745 |
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| Tunisia |
1,354 |
1,39 |
0,824 |
1,341 |
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