Aligning the Western Balkans with the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy: Impact in Sustainable Agricultural Transformation

Abstract

The European Union’s “Farm to Fork” (F2F) Strategy outlines a comprehensive roadmap for transforming food systems to align with sustainability goals. By addressing every stage of the food chain, from production and processing to consumption and waste, the strategy aims to create a food system that is environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially inclusive. For the Western Balkan countries, which are pursuing long-term integration into the EU, aligning with the F2F Strategy is not just a regulatory requirement but also a crucial step toward securing rural livelihoods, enhancing food security, modernizing agricultural practices, and mitigating environmental and climate risks. This paper explores the strategic importance of the F2F Strategy for the Western Balkans and assesses the region’s agricultural structures in light of EU sustainability objectives. It identifies major opportunities, such as increased access to EU funding instruments, improved productivity, and strengthened rural development, but also highlights several structural and institutional challenges. These include fragmented farm structures, limited technological capacity, weak enforcement of food safety standards, and high vulnerability to climate change. The analysis emphasizes the need for integrated governance models, targeted financial mechanisms, enhanced advisory services, and market-driven consumption incentives. These are essential to ensure that alignment with the F2F agenda becomes a catalyst for transformation rather than a burden. The study offers practical recommendations for facilitating a fair, effective, and sustainable agricultural transition in the Western Balkans.