THE EC-SCANDINAVIAN AGRICULTURAL TRADE CHANGES - CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

This article examines the changes in the mutual agro-food trade betwee n the EC and Scandinavian countries - Finland, Norway and Sweden - in 1960-85 by using the concept of "Revealed Comparative Advantage". The agricultural policy actions of the EC have weakened the mutual trading position of Scandinavia very strongly in basic temperate agricultural products but improved it in other types of agro-food products. The ma ssive supports and trade regulations of the EC have also increased its mutual competitiveness in agro-food compared to all traded items. In recent years a redirection of agricultural policy has started in the E C from price support and increasing productivity to production cutback s and direct income support. This seems to be the same path as the Sca ndinavian countries had to take earlier.