As of June 1993 Estonia ranks first among the 15 former Soviet republics in moving from its obsolete command economy to a modern market economy. Yet serious problems remain. Starting in July 1991, under a new law on private ownership, small enterprises, such as retail shops and restaurants, were sold to private owners. Estonia ranks first in per capita consumption among the former Soviet republics.
Agriculture is well developed, especially meat production, and provides a surplus for export.
Only about one-fifth of the work force is in agriculture. The major share of the work force engages in manufactures are of high quality by ex-Soviet standards and are exported to the other republics. Estonia has a large, relatively modern port and produces more than half of its own energy needs at highly polluting shale oil power plants. It has advantages in the transition, not having suffered so long under the Soviet yoke and having better chances of developing profitable ties to the Nordic and West European countries.