Maize flour and cereals market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the maize flour and cereals market in Romania contracted, with volume falling from 572.7 thousand tons to 509.5 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by increased competitive pressure following the liberalization of imports and the EU-Mercosur agreement, which facilitated cheaper South American grain access to the European market, affecting local producers. Concurrently, the entry of Al Dahra into the Romanian market in 2018, with a commitment to invest $500 million, marked a significant shift in the competitive landscape.

In 2020, the Minister of Agriculture met with Qatar's ambassador to strengthen trade relations, focusing on grain exports, which supported overseas sales. Additionally, the agricultural cooperative Biruința Olteniei launched an authentic wholemeal flour, controlling the entire production chain from farm to consumer. Despite these developments, production continued to decrease until 2021.

The market recovered from 2022 onward, reaching 567.6 thousand tons in 2023, as production rose to 546.0 thousand tons. In value terms, the market expanded from $202.0 million in 2021 to $290.9 million in 2023, reflecting both volume growth and price increases.

Production maize flour and cereals in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Romania's maize flour and cereals production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 500.0 K t, marking a 6.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The peak was in 2018, with 535.0 K t produced, which also saw the largest increase of 0.9% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's maize flour and cereals production has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 182.4 M $ US, down 2.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 14.6%, translating to an average annual decline of 5.1%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's maize flour and cereals exports have increased for the third year running. In 2020, the country exported 18 108 t, showing a sharp rise of 40.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 239.5%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 50.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's maize flour and cereals exports were widely distributed across various partner countries. Poland accounted for 12.3% of exports, Hungary for 11.6%, and Bulgaria for 10.2%, with these three countries together making up just 34.1% of total export volumes.

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

Romania's cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 608 K $ US, up 45.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 207.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 45.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's maize flour and cereals exports were spread across a broad range of buyers. The United Kingdom represented 13.4% of export value, Spain 13.2%, and Hungary 9.0%, with these three countries contributing only 35.6% of total export value. Many other countries held smaller but still notable shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's maize flour and cereals imports totaled 45 748 t, a robust increase of 10.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 18.5%, with an average annual rise of 5.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 48 480 t, which also saw the largest increase of 25.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 14.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary and Bulgaria were the dominant sources for Romania's maize flour and cereals imports, together accounting for 84.2% of total import volumes, while other markets made up the remainder.

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, Romania's maize flour and cereals imports amounted to 15 953 K $ US, up 3.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 20.3%, with an average annual growth of 6.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 16 160 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Greece were the key partners for Romania's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 38.8% of import value, Bulgaria for 26.8%, and Greece for 10.1%, with these three countries together representing 75.7% 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