Research has highlighted agriculture’s contribution to the Romanian bioeconomy growth at the level of each territorial administrative region (NUTS 2). This paper analyzes the relevant socio-economic indicators of the bioeconomy in Romania’s regions. We use Eurostat and the National Institute of Statistics from Romania (NIS) database for selected indicators. Cluster analysis using the SPSS software was chosen as a research method. Results revealed disparities between development regions. The article concludes that regional policies and investments from government and private firms have an essential role in developing agriculture and the bioeconomy.

The approach of studying the perceptions of Romanian farmers regarding the bioeconomy brings an element of novelty, and the study intends to add value to works in the field. The literature regarding the attitudes of farmers towards the adoption of new bioeconomic practices is quite limited at the European level and even more so in Romania. However, Romania’s agricultural potential is recognized nationally and internationally. This article aimed to explore the attitudes of Romanian farmers towards the bioeconomy and to take a step forward in determining a set of scientific actions necessary for the initiation of a national strategy dedicated to the bioeconomy. The quantitative research presented is based on a comprehensive survey. The analysis revealed the role of the bioeconomy in agricultural activities and the expectations of respondents in relation to the main aspects addressed by the concept of bioeconomy. The findings pointed out the contribution of Romanian public institutions in explaining and promoting this complex phenomenon to agricultural workers. The results led to three main conclusions: (i) farmers’ attitudes towards the bioeconomy are generally positive, although their knowledge is limited; (ii) public authorities are not sufficiently involved in supporting and promoting the bioeconomy; (iii) the bioeconomy is underfinanced at the national level. The findings draw attention to a great investment potential in the agricultural field that could foster job creation and regional development in Romania. A closer collaboration between researchers, decision-makers, local authorities, and farmers as well as the expansion of technological research are the conditions needed for the development of the bioeconomy in the agriculture of Romania.

The bioeconomy is a complex and increasingly relevant field, and agriculture represents an essential sector for its development. The bioeconomy presents an opportunity for sustainable agriculture that is beneficial for the environment and public health, both globally and particularly for nations with centralized agricultural systems, such as the former socialist Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). This article takes a novel approach to investigate the bioeconomic indicators in CEECs’ agriculture. It combines the hierarchical grouping method with an index based on socioeconomic indicators specific to the bioeconomy. It aims to find how the selected countries performed in terms of agriculture indicators. The socioeconomic indicator analysis showed that some countries had more linear evolutions than others, while some of them clearly outperformed the average of the region. The cluster analysis divided the countries into three relevant groups. The findings revealed patterns of convergence, but also important differences in the region. These results strengthen the scientific basis for the creation of agricultural bioeconomy strategies and argue for the need of the active engagement of all BIOEAST members in the initiative. We argue that agricultural architectures in Central and Eastern European countries are not just determined by employment circumstances or the extent of agricultural areas, but also by the dynamics of the value of the indicators.

The bioeconomy is an essential framework for sustainable economic growth in the European Union (EU), leveraging biomass transformation into bioenergy, biofuels, and other high-value products. This study examines the socio-economic impact of bio-based electricity and liquid biofuels in EU from 2008 to 2021, focusing on employment, turnover, and value added at factor cost. Cluster analysis shows that EU countries are divided into four groups based on socio-economic outcomes in the bioenergy sector, highlighting significant differences between Western and Eastern Europe. Notably, countries like Germany, France, and Italy lead in bioenergy development, supported by robust policy frameworks, while several Central and Eastern Europe Countries (CEECs), face challenges in advancing bioeconomy sectors. The analysis also puts forward a socio-economic indicator of bioeconomy (SEIB), which highlights national differences and potential growth paths for the bio-based energy sector. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to address regional inequalities and promote sustainable bioeconomic practices across the EU. The study underscores the need for consistent data collection to support future bioeconomy research and policy formulation.