Milk powder market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Romanian milk powder market contracted from 19 387 t to 12 911 t, primarily due to a structural shift toward imports. Factors highlight long-term import dominance, covering about 75% of the market, with massive shipments from major foreign players like Danone, Nestle, and Humana undermining local production. By 2019, domestic output had fallen to 1 540 t while imports surged to 13 214 t. The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 likely further disrupted supply chains, contributing to the market's decline.

A modest recovery lifted the market to 14 707 t in 2022, with production rising to 2 470 t. This occurred alongside investments in local milk processing, such as capacity expansion by Lăptăria cu Caimac, which may have supported output. However, imports remained above 13 000 t, indicating continued reliance on foreign supply.

The market dropped sharply to 11 028 t in 2023 when retailer Lidl became the largest importer of dairy products, intensifying competition through private labels and further squeezing local processors. Milk powder production plummeted to 380 t. The trend continued in 2024, with the market at 10 571 t and production at just 164 t, as raw milk imports grew and domestic powder output remained minimal.

Production milk powder in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. In 2020, Romania produced 1 380 tonnes of milk powder, marking a 10.4% year-over-year decline. The lowest production volume occurred in 2020, while the highest was recorded in 2018 at 10 828 tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.8 times. The largest increase was in 2018 at 370.8%, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 85.8%.

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

Exports milk powder from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania exported 699 tonnes of milk powder, down 23.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Greece, and the United Kingdom led the structure of exports in kind. Bulgaria accounted for 29.0% of exports, Greece for 28.2%, and the United Kingdom for 16.2%, together representing 73.4% 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, K $ US

After a two-year rise, exported milk powder volumes from Romania declined. In 2020, export volume amounted to 3 196 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a dramatic decrease of 34.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 22.3%, equating to a 6.9% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 911 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 69.1%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Greece, China, and the United Kingdom made the biggest contribution to exports in value terms. Greece accounted for 30.8% of exports, China for 30.3%, and the United Kingdom for 18.8%, jointly accounting for 79.9% 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 milk powder to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, the volume of milk powder imports into Romania declined. In 2020, Romania imported a total of 12 230 tonnes of milk powder, down 7.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 39.9%, equating to an 11.8% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 214 tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 40.0%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Ireland stood out as the main markets for imports in kind. Poland accounted for 33.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.1%, and Ireland for 9.1%, together representing 56.2% of total 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

Imported milk powder volumes in Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 44 266 thousand US dollars, which is 4.7% stronger than the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 119.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, Poland, Ireland, and the Netherlands were the principal destinations for imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 27.2% of imports, Ireland for 19.9%, and the Netherlands for 14.1%, jointly accounting for 61.1% of total flows.

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

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