Implementation of certification schemes in the Balkan agro-food sector

Abstract

Standardization and the use of certification schemes affect economy competitiveness in general, and therefore the agro-food sector as well - certification according to quality standards is a pre-condition for increasing the competitiveness of agro-food industry. Implementation of quality assurance systems in the agro-food sector and in the retail chains of the Balkan countries are covered in this paper. The Balkan countries mainly focus on the mandatory standards, whereas the non-mandatory ones are almost exclusively used by the country market leaders. It is also the case with the retail chains which by expanding their network also expand the range of standards, and therefore increase the level of competitiveness. This paper provides the information on standardization and implementation of certification schemes in the agro-food industry and retailers in the Balkan Region, also connection of competitiveness and implementation of standards. As the authors of this review know, the consolidated data of this type have not been presented yet.

Keywords

• certification schemes
• Agro-food sector
• competitiveness
• Europe
• Balkan countries