Linseed oil-cake market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the linseed oil-cake market in Romania expanded from 2 096 t to 3 132 t. This growth was primarily driven by increased demand for vegetable oil by-products in animal feed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted consumption. State-owned companies maintained a dominant role in supplying raw materials for production, while new waste definitions introduced in 2018 began shaping reporting obligations for producers.

The market volume dropped sharply to 1 863 t in 2021 after authorities introduced paid waste management for used vegetable oils, including linseed oil-cake, raising processing costs. Recovery followed in 2022, with volume reaching 2 501 t, as record profits for oil producers spurred investments in new extraction lines and the launch of certified organic oil-cake created a premium segment. By 2023, the market stabilized at 2 421 t amid legislative changes affecting waste disposal and growing discussions on using oil-cake for biodiesel production.

Production linseed oil-cake in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked as the 28th largest producer of linseed oil-cake globally.

Top producers of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

Romania's linseed oil-cake production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 100 tonnes, representing a strong year-over-year increase of 15.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 72.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 20.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's linseed oil-cake production value continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 819 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 9.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 43.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.8%.

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

Exports linseed oil-cake from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020, after peaking in 2017, with a 7.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's linseed oil-cake export volume totaled 12.7 tonnes, down by 81.1% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all of Romania's linseed oil-cake exports in kind went to Switzerland, which accounted for 100.0% 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, $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their trough in 2020, with a 9.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Romania exported 7 437 US dollars worth of linseed oil-cake, marking a dramatic decline of 82.0% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland was the key and nearly exclusive market for Romania's linseed oil-cake exports in value terms, representing 100.0% 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 linseed oil-cake to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's linseed oil-cake import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 45.1 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 31.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 60.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 26.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 178.0 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, at 62.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 55.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with Ukraine alone responsible for 98.1% of total imports in kind.

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, $ US

Romania's linseed oil-cake import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 18 586 US dollars, showing a decrease of 17.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 48.6%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of decline of 19.9%. The peak value was in 2018 at 56 022 US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 59.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 55.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, linseed oil-cake imports to Romania were supplied almost exclusively by Ukraine, which absorbed 92.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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