Circular economy in sustainable agri-food system: Challenges and opportunities for Romania

The circular economy (CE) is essential for sustainable agri-food systems, particularly in Romania, where agriculture generates 2.5 million tonnes of food waste annually, contributing to resource inefficiencies and environmental degradation. This study investigates CE's role in enhancing Romania's agri-food sustainability, addressing economic, environmental, and policy dimensions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a systematic literature review of 75 sources (2015-2024), comparative case studies of CE practices in the Netherlands, Italy, and Romania, quantitative analysis of Eurostat and FAO data (2020-2024), and policy evaluation. Romania's food waste recycling rate is 15%, compared to the EU's 40%, with only 7% of farms adopting CE technologies, like anaerobic digestion. Pilot projects, such as ECOREG in Suceava, demonstrate 15% cost savings and 25% waste reduction. Barriers include limited infrastructure and policy gaps, while opportunities lie in EU funding and digital tools, like IoT, which could reduce waste by 20%. CE adoption can align Romania's agri-food sector with EU Green Deal goals, reducing waste by up to 30% and emissions by 12%. Recommendations include a national CE strategy, increased funding, and stakeholder collaboration to enhance sustainability and economic resilience.