Resource information
A major problem in the Europe and
Central Asia (ECA) agricultural sector and rural areas
during the transition was the breakdown of the relationships
of farms with input suppliers and output markets. The
simultaneous privatization and restructuring of the farms
and of the up- and downstream companies in the agrifood
chain have caused major disruptions. The result is that many
farms and rural households face serious constraints in
accessing essential inputs (feed, fertilizer, seeds,
capital, etc.) and in selling their products. This report
presents several case studies and survey reports implemented
across countries and subsectors of the agrifood supply
chains in ECA. The case studies provide detailed information
and analysis and are a rich source of insights in the
processes of vertical coordination that are taking place in
the ECA region and their effects. In addition, the case
studies include interviews with managers of international
companies who have invested in this region. The objective of
the study was to analyze vertical coordination (VC) in
agrifood supply chains in ECA and to identify options for
improved policies, institutions, and investments which
Governments could make, and which the World Bank could
support, in order to improve links in the agricultural
marketing and processing chain and increase access of
farmers to input and output markets. This is especially
important in those countries where contractual arrangements
are slow to develop.
