Grapes market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian grape market reached its highest volume in 2018, supported by a significant expansion of cultivated area to over 70,000 hectares and strong consumer preference for premium, sweet, and aromatic varieties. This period of growth was followed by a market contraction over the next two years, driven primarily by unfavorable climatic and sanitary conditions and the widespread disruption to agricultural supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

A partial recovery occurred in 2021, aided by the sustained performance of the national wine industry—a major source of demand—and the adoption of specialized packaging for grapes, which helped meet market needs. Subsequently, severe drought in 2022, which reduced harvests by 15-20%, and climate-related issues like mold outbreaks in southern Romania in 2023 led to further declines in production and overall market volume.

Factors observed in 2024, including a harvest that started several weeks early due to high temperatures and an estimated production drop to just 60% of the previous year in some regions, underscore the ongoing impact of climate variability on the sector.

Production grapes in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked as the 17th largest producer of grapes worldwide.

Top producers of grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapes, 2017-2020

Romania's grape production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 933 thousand tonnes of grapes, a decrease of 4.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 141 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 6.9%. In contrast, the most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 14.6%.

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

Exports grapes from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania exported 330 tonnes of grapes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 33.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 330 tonnes, marking the largest decline of 47.6% that year. The peak was in 2018 with 629 tonnes, which also saw the biggest increase of 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Moldova were the top destinations for Romania's grape exports by volume. Bulgaria accounted for 46.5% of exports, Hungary for 14.9%, and Moldova for 12.4%, together making up 73.8% 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, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's grape exports reached 493 thousand US dollars, a 21.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 33.1%, averaging an annual rise of 10.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 526 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 41.9%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 22.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Moldova were the leading buyers of Romanian grapes by value. Hungary represented 19.5% of exports, Bulgaria 19.0%, and Moldova 18.5%, collectively accounting for 57.1% 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 grapes to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 50 618 tonnes of grapes, a 4.7% decrease from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 45 517 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 10.2%. The highest was in 2019 at 53 123 tonnes, with the biggest increase that year at 16.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova, Greece, and Italy were the primary sources for Romania's grape imports by volume. Moldova supplied 29.3% of imports, Greece 19.5%, and Italy 18.4%, together comprising 67.3% 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, K $ US

Romania's grape imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 60 181 thousand US dollars, up 6.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 12%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Italy, and Greece formed the core group of markets for Romania's grape imports by value. Moldova accounted for 19.9% of imports, Italy 18.9%, and Greece 15.3%, together representing 54.0% of total import flows.

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

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