Carrots and turnips market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh carrots and turnips in Romania experienced a decline in volume from 166.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 148.2 thousand tons in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reshaped consumer lifestyles, shifting consumption towards home cooking and increasing demand for staple vegetables. However, this shift coincided with broader supply chain adjustments, contributing to a modest contraction in overall market availability.

A recovery to 161.1 thousand tons occurred in 2021, but the market volume fell sharply to 133.5 thousand tons in 2022. This drop was driven primarily by a significant reduction in domestic production, which decreased from 121.2 to 86.5 thousand tons. Key factors included agricultural challenges such as pest pressures that can cause crop losses, alongside a ban on certain refrigeration systems containing high-global-warming-potential hydrofluorocarbons that took effect in early 2022, affecting storage and transport logistics for fresh produce.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 131.3 thousand tons. Regulatory developments continued, most notably the mandatory deposit-return system for single-use primary packaging, which became obligatory for producers and retailers from November 2023, altering packaging requirements for fresh vegetables.

Production carrots and turnips in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

Romania's production of carrots and turnips has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 113.7 thousand tons, marking a slight year-on-year decrease of 2.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 43.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 17.1%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The export market for carrots and turnips showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 45 tons, but surged to 437 tons in 2020, representing an 865.2% increase from the previous year. The difference between these peak and trough years was substantial, with 2020 exports being 9.7 times higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 62.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the primary destination for Romania's carrot and turnip exports, accounting for 87.0% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of other 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

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, highlighting a volatile market environment. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 6 thousand US dollars, but rose sharply to 38 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 584.9% increase compared to the previous year. The gap between these years was significant, with 2020 exports being 6.8 times higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when export values fell by 80.2%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Bulgaria and Moldova were the leading markets for Romania's carrot and turnip exports in value terms, together capturing 80.6% of the total. The remainder was spread across various other destinations.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of carrots and turnips decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 34 875 tons, a 2.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 46.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 39 375 tons, while the largest decline of 9.2% occurred in 2019. The most significant increase was in 2018, when imports rose by 65.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Poland consistently led Romania's carrot and turnip imports by volume. Turkey accounted for 30.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 19.9%, and Poland for 14.5%, together making up 64.9% of the 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

Import values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, imports were at their lowest, while 2018 saw the highest value at 18 539 thousand US dollars, creating a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 13 491 thousand US dollars, a 22.6% decrease from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when import values surged by 194.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany were the top suppliers of carrots and turnips to Romania in value terms. Turkey contributed 27.2% of import value, the Netherlands 19.7%, and Germany 12.3%, collectively accounting for 59.2% of total imports.

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

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