Agrarian transitions and productivity patterns: synthesis of experiences in Eastern Europe, the Former Soviet Union and East Asia

Economic reforms have induced important output and productivity changes in the agricultural sectors of transition countries (TCs), but with large differences between the countries. In general, agricultural output increased considerably in the East Asian TCs, while declining strongly in most Central and East Euro­ pean countries (CEECs) and the former Soviet Union (FSU).1 However, productivity increased in some Central European countries, as in East Asia. In other regions there was a considerable decline in productivity. Furthermore, important differences exist within regions.