The transition toward sustainable agriculture and food systems has become a central component of the European Union’s policy architecture under the “European Green Deal”, particularly through the “Farm to Fork Strategy” and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030. These frameworks redefine agriculture not only as a productive sector, but as a system that must simultaneously ensure food security, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and rural development. Within this context, countries of the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, are expected to align their agricultural policies with evolving EU standards, integrating sustainability principles across production systems, value chains, and governance structures.
The European Commission’s 2025 Progress Report on Kosovo highlights that the country has reached only “some level of preparation” in agriculture and rural development, with “limited progress” during the reporting period. Key structural gaps persist, particularly in administrative capacity, alignment with the EU acquis, and implementation of core governance instruments. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, along with its key implementing bodies, continues to face significant capacity constraints, while critical systems such as the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) and the Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) remain underdeveloped.
This paper analyzes Kosovo’s agriculture and food systems through the lens of sustainability and EU alignment. It examines the existing policy and institutional framework, the structure and performance of the sector, and the key environmental pressures associated with agricultural activity. Building on this analysis, the paper identifies priority systems for transformation and proposes policy options to support Kosovo’s transition toward sustainable agriculture and food systems by 2030.