Performance of Agriculture in Eastern Europe: A Comparative Analysis of Pre and Post-Transition Period

Ever since the collapse of central planning first in Central and Eastern Europe and then in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in late eighties, the Eastern European economies are in the process of transition from the centrally planned command economy to the market based economy. In recent years Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union have undergone fundamental economic and political transformation. Far reaching changes going far beyond the earlier years characterise the agrarian economy. A new agricultural structure based on private ownership, true cooperatives and market economy has emerged and has become operationally functional.