Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled whole chickens in Romania started from a volume of 150.0 thousand tons in 2018, built on a robust domestic production sector dominated by Romanian-owned companies. Major players like Transavia held significant market share, and industry practices emphasized optimal breeding conditions, healthy feed, and strict hygiene to support growth, contributing to a rise in volume to 159.2 thousand tons by 2019.

Between 2020 and 2022, market volume declined to 142.4 thousand tons, while its value increased from 269.7 million USD to 307.9 million USD. This shift was driven by rising global prices for raw materials and higher operational costs, which pushed up consumer prices. At the same time, a clear trend toward premiumization took hold, with consumers showing greater preference for higher-quality products and clear labeling, which helped sustain market value despite the drop in physical volume.

In the following years, the market continued to adapt. Romanian chicken meat production expanded in 2023, and the fresh meat segment saw moderate growth in both volume and value by 2024, with chicken accounting for 49% of the volume share. Limited availability of quality raw materials and doubling prices for live animals signaled the maturation of the premium segment. Additionally, European regulations on food safety, traceability, and digitalization influenced market operations, emphasizing greater efficiency and compliance.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 268.9 million US dollars, marking a 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Romania produced 155.6 thousand tonnes of fresh or chilled whole chickens, showing a gradual decline of 3.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual rate of 1.2%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 150.9 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 6.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 6.9%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The market for exports in kind showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, exports from Romania amounted to 4 097 tonnes, reflecting a sharp reduction of 22.3% compared to 2019. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 6 590 tonnes, with the largest increase of 125.6% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the dominant market for Romania's exports in kind of fresh or chilled whole chickens, accounting for 92.5% 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

Export values exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest point was in 2017, and the peak was in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania exported 5 727 thousand US dollars worth of fresh or chilled whole chickens, down by 22.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 370 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 29.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 145.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria dominated the structure of exports in value terms, holding a 91.6% share 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 fresh or chilled whole chickens to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens into Romania totaled 3 980 tonnes, indicating an increase of 22.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 237 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 5 651 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 42.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland were the leading sources for Romania's imports in kind of fresh or chilled whole chickens. Hungary accounted for 38.3% of imports, Bulgaria for 31.1%, and Poland for 19.1%, together making up 88.4% 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, the value of fresh or chilled whole chickens imported into Romania tallied 6 545 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a strong gain of 17.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 582 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 9 880 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 43.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 20.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland—remained central to Romania's imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 85.9% 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