Milk and cream market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian milk and cream market experienced substantial value growth from 2021 to 2024, largely driven by new investments and expansions in production capacity. Key players, including Olympus with a new plant in Hălchiu, entered the market, increasing domestic output. This expansion was supported by rising imports of raw milk and cream, particularly from Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland, which fed into local processing to meet growing demand.

Regulatory changes, notably the adoption of the Milk Law (Law no. 307/2022) and its implementing rules in 2023, reshaped the market. The law introduced mandatory registration for operators, strict labeling rules, and clear shelf separation for authentic dairy products versus those with non-dairy fats. These measures, alongside a shifting consumer preference towards value-added products like lactose-free milk, cooking cream, and cottage cheese, stimulated both production and market value.

Economic factors, including inflation and higher costs for utilities and feed, put pressure on production expenses but also contributed to rising product prices. Despite these cost pressures, the market continued to expand, supported by heightened domestic production of butter and cheeses in response to European shortages and by government programs like school milk distribution, which sustained consumption volumes.

Production milk and cream in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Romania ranked as the 27th largest producer of milk and cream between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Milk and cream production in Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania produced 4 865 K t of milk and cream, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's volume of milk and cream exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 48.3 K t, marking a decrease of 17.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 19.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 71.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 18.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Romania's milk and cream exports in kind were Greece, accounting for 48.4% of exports, Bulgaria with 21.9%, and Moldova at 21.3%. Together, these three countries represented 91.6% 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, M $ US

The value of milk and cream exports from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports registered 33.9 M $ US, down by 13.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 41.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 28.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Romania's milk and cream exports in value terms was formed by Greece, with 52.1% of exports, Bulgaria at 16.0%, and Moldova with 10.7%. Collectively, these markets accounted for 78.8% 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 milk and cream to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, milk and cream imports into Romania increased. In 2020, Romania imported 200.0 K t of milk and cream, up by 9.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 182.6 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 7.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for milk and cream imports in kind was dominated by Hungary, which held a 72.4% share of total flows, with other markets playing a less significant role.

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

After a two-year decline, milk and cream imports into Romania increased. In 2020, import volume totalled 105.9 M $ US, up by 9.3% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 96.9 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Hungary, Poland, and Germany—together accounted for 79.8% of total imports in value terms of milk and cream 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