Fresh or chilled pork market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, African swine fever significantly reduced domestic pig herds in Romania, leading to increased reliance on imports to meet demand. This was reflected in the data: import volume of fresh and chilled pork reached 172.8 K t in 2018, while domestic production began a gradual decline, falling to 307.9 K t by 2020. As a result, the total market volume in physical terms contracted from 489.0 K t in 2018 to 477.2 K t in 2020.

Following 2020, import volumes continued to rise, reaching 226.1 K t in 2024, with their value increasing to 760 M $. This growth coincided with substantial sector investments, which in 2024 amounted to 2.7% of GDP, the highest level in 36 years. That same year, domestic pork production rose by approximately 15%, contributing to greater supply. Concurrently, legislative changes were proposed to strictly define fresh meat, aiming to prevent the sale of thawed frozen product as fresh, which impacted market practices.

Production fresh or chilled pork in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Romania's fresh or chilled pork production declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 827.8 million US dollars, representing a 5.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 874.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Romania's fresh or chilled pork production declined for the second consecutive year in volume terms. In 2020, output reached 307.9 thousand tons, marking a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 327.6 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 2.8%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled pork from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's fresh or chilled pork exports declined for the third consecutive year in volume terms. In 2020, exports stood at 0.4 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp 72.7% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 97.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 70.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Spain were the primary destinations for Romania's fresh or chilled pork exports in volume terms. Bulgaria accounted for 25.7% of exports, Hungary for 17.6%, and Spain for 16.5%. Together, these three countries represented 59.8% 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, M $ US

Romania's fresh or chilled pork exports declined for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.4 million US dollars, showing a significant 62.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 96.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 67.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Greece, and Hungary were the main destinations for Romania's fresh or chilled pork exports in value terms. Bulgaria accounted for 27.1% of exports, Greece for 18.3%, and Hungary for 16.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 62.2% 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 pork to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Romania's fresh or chilled pork imports increased slightly in volume terms in 2020, reaching a total of 172.8 thousand tons, which represents a modest 6.7% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 36.3%, with an average annual increase of 10.9%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 172.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 38.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.9% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Hungary, and Germany were the main sources of Romania's fresh or chilled pork imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.3% 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, M $ US

Romania's fresh or chilled pork imports increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports amounted to 432.2 million US dollars, reflecting a slight 2.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 39.2%, with an average annual increase of 11.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Germany, and Hungary were the key partners for Romania's fresh or chilled pork imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 32.4% of imports, Germany for 21.8%, and Hungary for 19.2%. Together, these three countries represented 73.5% 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