Gingerbread and the like, sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers saw significant shifts from 2018 to 2020, driven by corporate changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, the acquisition of the local brand JOE by the multinational Nestlé increased foreign influence, while local factory closures and lack of major investments led to a growing dependence on imports, reflected in rising import volumes. By 2020, the pandemic altered consumer behavior, reducing demand for roll-type wafers by 7% in the first half but shifting preferences towards simpler or glazed segments, which supported overall market value growth to 256.2 M $ US.

From 2021 to 2024, the market volume expanded moderately, reaching 109 972 t in 2023 before dipping to 106 000 t in 2024, while market value continued its steady climb to 374.3 M $ US in 2024. This value growth was underpinned by increasing import values, which rose from 217.0 M $ US in 2021 to 307.3 M $ US in 2024, and a surge in exports, with export volume more than doubling from 2020 to 2024, indicating stronger international sales performance.

Production gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's production of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers was valued at 102.2 million US dollars, showing a gradual decline of 3.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 48 674 tonnes of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers, marking a limited reduction of 9.6% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, exports of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from Romania declined. In 2020, the export volume amounted to 13 631 tonnes, showing a substantial fall of 14.3% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.5%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 900 tonnes, with the largest increase of 20.8% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from Romania were distributed across numerous markets. Bulgaria accounted for 10.7% of exports in kind, Turkey for 9.6%, and Hungary for 9.1%, with these three countries together making up only 29.4% 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, M $ US

Following two years of gains, exports of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from Romania declined. In 2020, exports totaled 37.2 million US dollars, indicating a notable reduction of 24.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 49.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 26.6% also occurring in that year.

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

The country composition of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Bulgaria accounted for 18.8% of exports in value terms, the Netherlands for 8.4%, and Hungary for 7.7%, with these three countries together forming just 34.8% of total flows. The remaining 65.2% was split among a wide range of 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 gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Deliveries of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported approximately 73 729 tonnes, marking a limited increase of 8.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 36.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland was the largest supplier of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Romania, accounting for 24.2% of imports in kind, followed by Ukraine at 12.3% and Germany at 11.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 48.2% of total imports in kind, with the rest coming from a broad range of smaller partners.

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

Shipments of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Romania from abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported 191.2 million US dollars worth of these products, up by 10.7% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 50.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Poland, Germany, and Ukraine—together absorbed 53.2% of total imports in value terms of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Romania.

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

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