The agri-food chain is marked by an uneven distribution of value. According to analyses by the European Commission and Eurostat, margins increase progressively from primary production to processing and retail.

Farmers operate in a price environment determined by the global market, with limited capacity to influence it. Processors can add value through transformation, branding, and standardization. Retail, through its bargaining power and control over access to consumers, captures a significant share of the final margin.

In Romania, the concentration of modern retail amplifies this dynamic. Public data indicate a high level of market concentration, which influences the bargaining power of agricultural suppliers.

From an economic perspective, the issue is not the existence of a chain with different margins, but the ability of farmers to integrate into higher stages of the chain. Without functional integration or association, profit remains distributed downstream. For 2026, understanding the power structure within the agri-food chain becomes essential for any agricultural development strategy.

(Photo: Freepik)