Apples, pears and quinces market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Romanian market for fresh apples, pears and quinces reached 809.5 thousand tons, a period when promotional efforts for authentic fruit varieties and consumer education events, alongside the launch of new storytelling packaging, supported market differentiation and premiumization. However, the market volume contracted sharply to 674.0 thousand tons in 2019, before recovering partially to 716.5 thousand tons in 2020.

Market growth resumed in 2021, climbing to 782.3 thousand tons. This upward trend reversed in 2022 as the market fell to 709.8 thousand tons, pressured by persistent inflation and rising costs for raw materials and energy, which significantly increased production expenses. In 2023, the market stabilized at 714.6 thousand tons, aided by risk‑mitigation initiatives such as the Soufflet Agro Romania program designed to support farmers facing adverse climate conditions and high investment costs.

Heading into 2024, the sector continued to grapple with rising input prices for fertilizers and energy, weather‑related reductions in agricultural yields, and tighter access to farmer financing, all within a regulatory environment evolving under new EU sustainability and food safety requirements.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Romania ranked as the 29th largest global producer of apples, pears, and quinces from 2017 to 2020, establishing itself among the world's leading producers in this category.

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

Romania's production of apples, pears, and quinces showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point occurred in 2017, while production peaked in 2018 at 691.9 thousand tonnes, representing a 71.2% increase from the previous year. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 22.1%. By 2020, output reached 584.1 thousand tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year gain of 8.4%. Overall, production volumes varied by a factor of 1.7 between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's exports of apples, pears, and quinces declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 5.3 thousand tonnes—a 15.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9.7 thousand tonnes, which represented a 46.9% increase. In 2019, exports experienced their largest decline of 35.5%. From 2017 to 2020, total exports fell by 20%, averaging an annualized decline of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Germany were the primary destinations for Romania's exports of apples, pears, and quinces, together accounting for 96.9% of total export volumes. Other countries made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's export value for apples, pears, and quinces declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 1 260 thousand US dollars—a 5.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 55.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Hungary and Germany dominated as buyers of Romanian apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, jointly representing 92.3% of total export value. Other trading partners accounted for a smaller portion.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Romania imported 137.7 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, a 2.6% decrease from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 127.3 thousand tonnes, marking a 9.2% decline. Imports peaked in 2019 at 141.4 thousand tonnes, an 11.1% increase. The overall range between the minimum in 2018 and maximum in 2019 shows notable variation.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the main sources of Romania's imports of apples, pears, and quinces by volume. Poland accounted for 52.5% of imports, Italy for 14.6%, and the Netherlands for 6.4%, together comprising 73.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's import value for apples, pears, and quinces reached 97 550 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 34.8% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 72 344 thousand US dollars, representing a 15.7% decline. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 25.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017–2020 period, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the leading suppliers of apples, pears, and quinces to Romania in value terms. Poland contributed 42.5% of import value, Italy 17.6%, and the Netherlands 10.3%, together making up 70.5% of total imports by value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020