Book Description

Examines the restructuring of the livestock sectors in: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. They all experienced a decline in both animal inventories and meat output during the early years of transition away from a centrally planned economy. Five general equilibrium models were developed which depicted the economies of each nation. The models were used to evaluate capital invest. at different stages of production; the rise in land prices that would result from a better functioning land market; reduced marketing costs; increased availability of credit; and the creation of off-farm employment to draw labor out of ag. Identifies potential trade and invest. opportunities. This potential depends on the successful implementation of institutional and policy reforms.