Milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for milk with 1-6% fat content expanded from 446 thousand tons in 2019 to 532 thousand tons in 2021. This increase took place against a backdrop of a steadily declining number of dairy farms, which limited growth in domestic milk production. However, significant investments in processing infrastructure, including Danone's high-capacity plant in Bucharest, boosted industrial milk handling. Concurrently, milk imports surged, with processors sourcing substantially higher volumes from neighboring countries, which helped lift overall market supply.

The implementation of the Milk Law in 2022 introduced stricter labeling rules, prohibiting the 'Romanian product' designation unless all raw materials are domestically sourced and mandating separate display for dairy products containing non-dairy additives. These measures improved market transparency and reporting accuracy. After a contraction to 468 thousand tons in 2023, market volume rebounded to 524 thousand tons in 2024, reflecting seasonal variations in milk collection and ongoing adaptation to the new regulatory framework.

Production milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Romania's output of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% was valued at 260.3 million US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, production increased by 21.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2019, Romania produced 329.0 thousand tonnes of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6%, with minimal change compared to 2018. From 2017 to 2019, production rose by 15.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.9%.

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

Exports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports reached 50.3 thousand tonnes, but by 2020, they had fallen to 36.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 24.5% year-over-year reduction. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 37.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Bulgaria were the two leading markets, together accounting for 89.9% of Romania's total exports in kind. The remaining volume was distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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 gains, Romania's export value of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 29 552 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, they had dropped to 21 660 thousand US dollars, representing a 26.7% year-over-year loss. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 34.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Bulgaria consistently accounted for 88.3% of Romania's total export value, indicating a high degree of market concentration. The remainder was spread across a long tail of smaller markets.

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 with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Romania's imports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% increased. In 2019, imports were at their lowest point, with 166.0 thousand tonnes, but by 2020, they had risen to 180.7 thousand tonnes, showing an 8.8% year-over-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary was the dominant source, absorbing 77.0% of Romania's total imports in kind of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6%. The balance was spread across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

After a two-year decrease, Romania's import value of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% increased. In 2019, imports hit their minimum at 72 526 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, they had climbed to 77 458 thousand US dollars, which is 6.8% more year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary played a leading role in Romania's imports in value terms of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6%, holding a 72.3% share of total flows. The remainder was distributed across other partners.

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

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