CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN ROMANIAN AGRICULTURE: COMPARATIVE INSIGHTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

This study explores the integration of circular economy principles within Romanian agriculture, analysing the current level of resource efficiency and comparing it with broader European Union trends. Using statistical data from Eurostat, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the National Institute of Statistics, the research investigates key indicators such as circular material use rate, agricultural waste generation, recycling performance, biomass utilisation and the share of organic farming. The analysis reveals that while Romania’s agricultural sector holds a significant potential for circularity through biomass and organic waste valorisation, its overall circular material use rate remains among the lowest in the EU. The findings highlight structural barriers such as limited investment capacity, low innovation uptake and insufficient waste management infrastructure in rural areas. However, EU strategies such as the Green Deal, Farm to Fork and the National Circular Economy Strategy provide a strong framework for future progress. The paper concludes that accelerating the adoption of circular practices in Romanian agriculture is essential for improving resource efficiency, enhancing sustainability and supporting rural economic resilience.