Semi‐subsistence Farming in Romania and Bulgaria: a Survival Strategy?

Abstract

Summary Bulgaria and Romania have experienced radical transformations in their agriculture and rural economies, following transition to a market economy and accession to the EU. However, they remain two EU Member States characterised by a highly fragmented and polarised farm structure. The majority of farms in Bulgaria and Romania are very small in size. However, they continue to provide the main source of income for many rural households. They act as a social safety net and ensure food self‐sufficiency for both themselves and their urban relatives. There are other roles that small and SSFs appear to play in the wider rural economy, e.g. providers of environmental public goods, supplying speciality foods and ensuring the continuation of local and cultural traditions, but so far there is little research to support this argument. Despite the expectation of a gradual disappearance of small and SSFs and/or their market integration following the countries accession to the EU, it is clear that they are here to stay. At least for a while.

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