Opportunities and challenges of the grain sector in Kosovo - managing domestic resources

This study sets out the opportunities and stakes of grain sector in Kosovo - the recent country in the map of Balkans. Kosovo has a transition economy and the government is tempting to restructure the economy according to the European Union policy. The research analyses the role of actors involved in the food and feed agri-sector involving supplying, production, processing, marketing and distribution of food and feed grain. The research employs qualitative methods. We conducted 68 semi-structured interviews, and respondents were selected randomly. Grounded theory and content analysis guided data analysis. Research data refers to the chain governance, collaboration, integration and strategies between actors. Study highlights the implication into the regional market, and the mediums of actors being better off. The study reveals that Kosovo depends on grain imports, and lacks an organised domestic grain market. Wheat is the major crop planted followed by maize and other small grain quantity. Actors are partly integrated and not very efficient in the grain production. They partially fulfil the domestic grain need. The quality of the imported grain depends on the choice of individual traders. The price is the major factor influencing the quality of the imported grain. Furthermore, the existence of informal market influences the decision making of actors. Actors involved in the grain chain have mix governance types. Domestic actor's relations are based on trust mechanism. The research has drawn the importance of revised agriculture public policies to sustain grain domestic production and a better management of the domestic resources. It is encouraged the creation of public-private partnerships to manage domestic resources, restore the grain market and is recommended the revision of trading policies. In doing so, fair competition between domestic and foreign traders will be enhanced.