Beer market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The beer market in Romania experienced a gradual contraction in physical volume from 1 818 million liters in 2018 to 1 652 million liters in 2024, with the most significant decline occurring after 2020. Despite this reduction in volume, the market's value demonstrated consistent growth, rising from $1 263 million to $1 457 million over the same period, highlighting a pronounced trend of increasing average prices or a consumer shift towards premium product segments.

Domestic production mirrored the overall market dynamics, with output falling from 1 814 million liters to 1 631 million liters in volume while its value increased from $1 247 million to $1 425 million. After a peak in 2022, import volumes fell to 56 million liters by 2024, and export volumes also declined, contributing to a smaller trade footprint for the Romanian beer industry.

By the end of the period, the market volume showed signs of stabilization between 2023 and 2024, while the value continued its upward trajectory, underscoring a lasting transformation in the market's structure and pricing.

Production beer in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, beer production in Romania saw an increase. In 2020, the output of beer was valued at 1 275 million US dollars, marking a slight uptick of 2.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 243 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Beer production in Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 1 756 million liters of beer were produced, down by 2.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 814 million liters, which also experienced the largest increase of 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports beer from Romania

Exports in kind, K l

In 2020, beer shipments from Romania to abroad amounted to 56 435 thousand liters, representing a solid gain of 10.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 8.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Moldova, and Italy formed the key group of partners for Romania's beer exports in kind. Hungary accounted for 28.4% of exports, Moldova for 12.6%, and Italy for 11.9%, jointly representing 52.9% of total flows.

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

In 2020, cross-border shipments of beer from Romania reached 29 468 thousand US dollars, corresponding to an uptick of 21.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 44.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 12.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 35.4%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of beer from Romania were spread relatively evenly. Hungary accounted for 17.3% of exports, Italy for 16.4%, and Moldova for 11.1%, jointly representing only 44.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports beer to Romania

Imports in kind, K l

Romania's volume of beer imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume amounted to 72 110 thousand liters, marking a significant increase of 18.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 39.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K l

In 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Poland consistently remained the main destinations for Romania's beer imports in kind. Germany accounted for 28.8% of imports, Hungary for 11.3%, and Poland for 11.2%, together accounting for 51.3% of total 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

In 2020, foreign beer supplies to Romania amounted to 53 822 thousand US dollars, which is 22.3% greater than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 45.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.2%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, beer was traded with many countries in Romania, and even the largest destinations — Germany, the Netherlands, and Mexico — together represented only 44.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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