Honey market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian honey market began the period at 21 thousand tons in 2018, facing structural issues including high production costs compared to European peers and a lack of clear honey labeling rules, which undermined transparency. Market volume fell to 16 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 23 thousand tons in 2020.

Steady growth followed, with the market reaching 26 thousand tons by 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by increasing domestic honey consumption, supported by consumer awareness of healthy eating, and a rise in imports from outside the European Union that supplemented supply.

In 2024, important legislative changes took effect, including updated EU technical regulations for natural honey under Directive 2024/1438, which imposed stricter processing and labeling requirements. Concurrently, unfavorable weather conditions reduced honey production by 30-40% in some regions, affecting local supply.

Production honey in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 15th globally in honey production.

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Romania's honey production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 30 714 tonnes of honey, marking a 21.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 25 269 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year drop, Romania's honey production value showed improvement. In 2020, honey output was valued at 110.1 million US dollars, representing a solid 14.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 14.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 96.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.2%.

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

Exports honey from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's honey exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 13 743 tonnes, showing a robust 19.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 12.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 326 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Poland were the main destinations for Romania's honey exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 32.6% of exports, Italy for 16.0%, and Poland for 9.7%, together absorbing 58.3% of total honey exports from Romania.

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

After two years of contraction, Romania's honey export values increased. In 2020, exports reached 49.259 million US dollars, showing a strong 12.4% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 5.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 43.817 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Italy, and Denmark played leading roles in Romania's honey exports by value. Germany accounted for 31.1% of export value, Italy for 16.4%, and Denmark for 8.7%, jointly representing 56.2% of total export 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 honey to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's honey imports showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 633 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.6%. In 2020, imports surged to 6 468 tonnes, representing a 145.7% increase from 2019, creating a 2.5-fold difference between the minimum and maximum levels.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova, Ukraine, and Poland were the principal suppliers of honey to Romania in volume terms. Moldova accounted for 20.5% of imports, Ukraine for 19.1%, and Poland for 18.5%, together representing 58.0% of total honey imports.

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 honey import values showed volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8.724 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.5%. In 2020, import values reached 16.818 million US dollars, marking a 92.8% increase year-over-year, creating a 1.9-fold difference between the minimum and maximum levels.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's honey import structure in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Moldova accounted for 18.5% of import value, Poland for 16.4%, and Ukraine for 13.2%, jointly representing 48.0% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 52.0%.

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

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