Dried apricots market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried apricots in Romania showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. Total market volume stood at 593.4 т in 2018, then gradually decreased to 566.6 т in 2019 before a sharp drop to 319.9 т in 2020. A partial rebound followed in 2021, lifting the market to 427.2 т, but this recovery proved temporary.

From 2022, regulatory enforcement significantly impacted supply. The National Sanitary-Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) confiscated nearly 3 т of dried apricots imported from Turkey for exceeding permitted sulfite levels. This strict action on chemical additives in imported goods constrained import volumes and contributed to the market's contraction to 337.5 т in 2022. Official monitoring also reported that 76.92% of apricot samples contained pesticide residues, though within legal limits, highlighting active safety oversight.

Parallel to regulatory tightening, consumer preference evolved toward organic dried apricots cultivated without pesticides, reflecting a broader shift toward natural and healthy foods. However, this demand in a specialized segment did not reverse the overall market decline, which continued to 279.9 т in 2023. Domestic production remained a minor component of supply, never surpassing 25 т annually.

Production dried apricots in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 20th globally in dried apricot production.

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 18 240 kg of dried apricots, marking a significant increase of 24.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 26.5%, with an annualized rate of 9.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 14 690 kg, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 25 020 kg. The most substantial drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 41.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports dried apricots from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's dried apricot exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 0.2 t, representing a significant contraction of 11.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 59.6%, with an annualized rate of 26.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Moldova together accounted for 88.1% of Romania's total dried apricot exports by volume, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

After two years of growth, Romania's dried apricot exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 K $ US, indicating a modest reduction of 8.5% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 127.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 31.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 K $ US, with the largest increase of 66.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova (56.0% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (20.9%), and Hungary (17.4%) accounted for the largest shares of Romania's dried apricot exports by value, together comprising 94.3% 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 dried apricots to Romania

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Volumes peaked in 2018 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, representing a 1.9-fold shift. In 2020, Romania's dried apricot imports stood at 301.8 t, showing an abrupt decline of 45.3% over the past year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 568.7 t, with the largest increase of 79.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (37.7% of imports in kind), Greece (25.9%), and Italy (10.3%) led the structure of Romania's dried apricot imports by volume, together representing 73.9% 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

Romania's dried apricot imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 695 K $ US, equivalent to a sharp loss of 27.0% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 048 K $ US, with the largest increase of 50.2% also occurring that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Turkey (52.9% of imports in value terms), Germany (7.2%), and Greece (6.9%) remained the leading destinations in Romania's dried apricot import structure by value, with a combined share of 67.1% of total flows.

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

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