Fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts between 2018 and 2024 was fundamentally shaped by the African swine fever (ASF) epidemic. Repeated outbreaks caused significant pig culls, including over 20 000 heads at Smithfield in 2022, sharply reducing domestic production and making imports cover up to 80% of consumption. This dependency was exacerbated by operational constraints at slaughterhouses in key exporting countries like Germany. In response, foreign investors from Italy, Lebanon, Denmark, and Belgium entered the market, taking over affected local farms and contributing to a partial production recovery between 2020 and 2022.

Regulatory changes intensified during this period, with stricter origin labeling requirements introduced to protect consumers amidst growing import volumes. Concurrently, producers faced mounting financial pressure from rising operational costs and the removal of certain tax facilities. These factors, combined with ASF-related supply tightness, drove pork prices upward, often increasing by around 20% above inflation. Consequently, the market value expanded significantly, reaching 86 676 thousand USD in 2023, even as physical volume fluctuated.

By 2024, the market volume declined to 18 695 t, with a value of 68 055 thousand USD. Although domestic production showed a 13% increase in the first half of the year, it remained insufficient to offset the overall import dependency, which saw pork imports valued at 1.08 billion euros. The premium segment for fresh meat began to mature, with live animal prices doubling, indicating structural shifts within the market.

Production fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Romania's production of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts has rebounded. In 2020, output reached 26 198 K $ US, marking a substantial 57.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 32.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 16 671 K $ US, which also saw the most significant decline of 13.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After a two-year downturn, Romania's production of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts has turned upward. In 2020, the country produced 8 320 t, representing a 52.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 451 t, which also experienced the sharpest decline of 17.6%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period, with a peak-to-trough amplitude reaching 23 times between 2018 and 2020. In 2020, Romania's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts totaled just 28 t, an 88.1% year-over-year decrease. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 666 t, which also saw the largest increase of 52.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria (56.5% of exports in kind), Italy (13.7%), and Hungary (13.3%) remained the primary destinations for Romania's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts. Together, these three markets accounted for 83.5% of total export 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

Market performance showed significant fluctuations throughout the period, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 19 times. In 2020, the value of Romania's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts fell to 73 K $ US, representing an 87.1% decline from 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 361 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 55.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria (50.1% of exports in value terms), Italy (12.9%), and Hungary (12.9%) continued to lead as the main buyers of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts from Romania. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 75.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 15 644 t, showing a significant 13.3% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 3.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 21 466 t, which also saw the largest increase of 32.0%, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain (27.0% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (17.8%), and Hungary (17.4%) were the leading suppliers of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts to Romania. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.2% 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

Following two years of growth, Romania's imports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined in 2020. Import value reached 37 493 K $ US, representing a substantial 15.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 44 602 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 20.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (29.0% of imports in value terms), Hungary (16.3%), and the Netherlands (16.1%) were the primary suppliers of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts to Romania. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 61.4% 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