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The Impact of Drought Risk on Maize Crop in Romania

Author

Listed:
  • Flavia Mirela Barna

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timișoara, Timiș County, Romania)

  • Alina Claudia Manescu

    (Doctoral School of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timișoara, Timiș County, Romania)

Abstract

This study examines the effects of climate change on maize production in Romania between 2003 and 2024, focusing on yield dynamics, regional disparities, and economic losses. Maize, a key crop in Romanian agriculture, has become increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, particularly droughts, which remain the most frequent risk. The analysis highlights a marked decline in maize yields and cultivated area in recent years, strongly correlated with severe droughts in 2020, 2022, and 2024. The results show that western and northern counties display greater resilience, while southeastern regions face significant yield losses. The economic impact is substantial, with losses exceeding EUR 1 billion. These findings underscore the systemic nature of climate-related risks and call for region-specific adaptation strategies, expanded irrigation infrastructure, and index-based insurance schemes to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable maize production under changing climatic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Flavia Mirela Barna & Alina Claudia Manescu, 2025. "The Impact of Drought Risk on Maize Crop in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8870-:d:1764858
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gabriela Ianculescu & Traian Ciprian Stroe & Liliana Miron & Liliana Panaitescu, 2026. "Impact of Soil Tillage Systems on Maize Productivity, Mechanization Efficiency and Economic Performance under Irrigated Conditions in South-Eastern Romania," Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Doctoral Field Engineering and Management in Agriculture and Rural Development, issue 1, pages 23-36.

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