Aubergines market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian fresh aubergine market showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. It started at 92,560 tons in 2018, supported by intensified local cultivation and the expanded distribution of the Aragon variety by companies like Cerveanu Gabriela to hundreds of stores. A decline to 83,916 tons followed in 2019, coinciding with growing consumer interest in frozen vegetables as a convenient alternative, which began to influence the fresh segment. The market rebounded sharply to 93,989 tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic heightened demand for fresh produce and boosted online sales of vegetables. This growth continued to a peak of 100,765 tons in 2021, aided by further investments in distribution and the optimization of refrigerated transport logistics for better product preservation.

This expansion was interrupted in 2022 when the market volume contracted sharply to 68,849 tons. This downturn occurred alongside the continued development of the frozen vegetable segment, where new medium and low-cost brands entered the market, increasing competition for consumers of fresh produce. Despite this competitive pressure, distribution networks for local fresh aubergines remained active. The market then stabilized in 2023, recording a slight recovery to 70,142 tons.

Production aubergines in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 22nd globally in aubergine production.

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

After declining for two years, aubergine production in Romania rebounded in 2020. That year, Romania produced 88.4 K t of aubergines, marking an 11.0% increase from 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 79.7 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 at 31.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's aubergine production value rose for the second consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 110.1 M $ US, up 3.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 15.5%, averaging a 5.5% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2018 at 92.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 29.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports aubergines from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Aubergine exports from Romania showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, exports reached 152 t, surging 90.3% compared to 2019. The period saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 4.5 times. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 167.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova dominated Romania's aubergine exports in volume, accounting for 76.6% of the total. The remaining exports were spread across a diverse group of smaller countries.

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 aubergine export value increased for the third year in a row in 2020, totaling 189 K $ US, a sharp 77.4% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 445.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 76.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's aubergine export value was highly concentrated, with Moldova and the United Kingdom together accounting for 90.9% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports aubergines to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, aubergine imports into Romania increased in 2020. That year, Romania imported 5 721 t of aubergines, a sharp 31.9% jump from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 8.1%, averaging 2.6% annual growth. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 4 336 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey were the main suppliers of aubergines to Romania by volume. Spain accounted for 37.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 13.2%, and Turkey for 12.3%, together making up 63.1% of total import volume.

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

In 2020, Romania imported aubergines worth 5 780 K $ US, up 23.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 20.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 681 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands were the key sources of Romania's aubergine imports by value. Spain contributed 37.5%, Germany 16.0%, and the Netherlands 13.8%, together comprising 67.3% of total import value.

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

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