For Austrian agriculture, eastern enlargement as envisaged by the European Union once again translates into a challenge. On balance, farmers need to expect losses of market share and pressure on prices, which in turn should accelerate structural change in the Austrian agricultural sector.

Agriculture is among the delicate items of the envisaged EU eastern enlargement. Major differences between western Europe and the Central and Eastern European candidate countries in terms of agricultural potential, agricultural structure, performance level of food industry, and agricultural...

The agricultural sector was considered a sensitive area with regard to EU integration. Nevertheless, the transition to the single market was accomplished without serious market disruptions. Farm incomes have risen. Generous public assistance has facilitated the changeover, although it has...