| Area / sub area | Select | Description |
| Macro economics |
| Production and producer issues | |
| | Land | | Analysing land ownership and tenure; land reform; and the effect of policy on land use |
| | Production structure | | Analysing the developments of agri-food production structures including co-operatives and family household and the effect of policy on the structure of production |
| | Producer income | | Analysing the determinants and the development of producer income and the effect of policy on producer income |
| Market issues | |
| | Food chain analysis | | Analysing the market structure and competitiveness of a given food chain including structural changes (vertical analysis) |
| | Agricultural supply and demand | | Analysing the development and the determinants of agri- food supply and demand and the effect of policy on market equilibrium |
| | Price | | Analysing agricultural price determinants, price forecasts, market influences and the effect of policy on agricultural and food prices |
| | Distribution and consumer | | Analysing food consumption, agricultural and food distribution chains (including structural changes) and the effect of policy on consumer demand |
| | Competitiveness | | Analysing the competitiveness of agri-food products and farms (including structural change) and the effect of policy on competitiveness |
| | Trade | | Analysing the developments of trade and trade relations and the effect of policy on trade development |
| Policy issues | |
| | Agricultural and food market Policy | | Analysing agricultural and food market policy from development to implementation (including evaluation) |
| | Trade policy | | Analysing trade policy from development to implementation (including evaluation) |
| | Environmental policy | | Analysing policies affecting the environment (environmental impacts of policy) |
| | Food and nutrition policy | | Analysing food consumption, food safety, nutrition, and food assistance programs |
| | Rural development policy | | Analysing rural development policy from development to implementation (including evaluation) |
| Agricultural public finance | | Analysing the development of agricultural policy budgets and their effect of policy on public expenditure |
| Rural development |
| Rural development | | Analysing developments of rural economies and regions |
| Rural socio-economics | | Analysing particular issues of concern for rural communities including economic development, health, education, local governance and public services |
| Rural labour market | | Analysing rural labour markets including unemployment and pensions |
| Poverty | | Analysing poverty in rural areas and the measures to alleviate poverty |
| Micro economics |
| Market development | | Analysis and development of management techniques to solve farm and industry problems related to market development, marketing issues and diversification |
| Financial issues | | Analysis and development of management techniques to solve farm and industry problems related to financial management, profitability and income (includes agricultural funding and crediting) |
| Agricultural production | | Analysis and development of management techniques to solve farm and industry problems related to production management |
| Organisation and management | | Analysis and development of management techniques to solve farm and industry problems related to organisation management and personnel management |
| Environmental management | | Analysis and development of management techniques to solve farm and industry problems related to environmental issues |
| Horizontal expertise |
| Econometric modelling | | Developing econometric models |
| Statistical and econometric analysis | | Skills for the implementation of statistical and econometric analysis |
| Computer programs | | Development of computer programs for Statistical and econometric analysis |
| Agricultural census and survey | | Skills in the implementation and analysis of surveys |
| Policy evaluation | | Skills and experience in the implementation of public policy evaluation (including cost-benefit analyses) |
| Foresight and prospective study | | Skills and experience in the implementation of foresight analysis |
