Agriculture in the mountains differs from the lowlands and has some inherent constraints due to geographical isolation, a low levels of infrastructure development, difficult climatic conditions and fragile ecosystems making agricultural production, marketing and development more difficult.

Agriculture and forestry are the most traditional \ work sectors in the Carpathians, shaping the landscape of the area and the cultural traditions of the region. Since 1990, agricultural production decreased in intensity in terms of both crops and livestock. In many parts of the Carpathians, much farmland was abandoned and large areas became fallow. The structure of the agricultural sector is now rapidly being reformed. This includes changes in land ownership and major shifts in traditional land use, even in marginal agricultural areas.