Milled rice and broken rice market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for milled rice and broken rice in Romania more than halved, dropping from 59 429 t to 25 170 t. The period began with investments aimed at reviving the sector, including the revitalization of a large rice plantation in Oltenia through modern technologies and irrigation canal rehabilitation. These efforts sought to enhance the competitiveness of domestic production. Continued investments in sustainable agricultural technologies and infrastructure modernization followed in subsequent years.

After reaching a low in 2021, the market recovered to 41 218 t in 2022 before declining again to 31 947 t by 2024. By 2022, the area under rice cultivation in Romania had shrunk to around 3 300 ha, a sharp fall from nearly 13 000 ha a decade earlier, due to infrastructure degradation and the need for major investment. Simultaneously, international rice prices approached a 15-year high, affecting the local market. Shifts in consumer preferences and behavior, alongside pressure on European producers from rising costs and strict environmental standards, further shaped the market's trajectory in these years.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Romania's production of milled rice and broken rice has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 11 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 34.6% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 52.1%, with an average annual decline of 21.7%. The peak was in 2018, with 24 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.8%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of milled rice and broken rice have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 10 984 tonnes, a steep 52.4% increase compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 86.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Moldova, and Slovakia were the main destinations for Romania's exports in kind. Italy accounted for 42.7% of exports, Moldova for 15.5%, and Slovakia for 10.5%, together making up 68.7% 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, K $ US

Romania's exports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 055 thousand US dollars, a gain of 30.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 75.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Moldova, and Slovakia formed the primary group of destinations for Romania's exports in value terms. Italy held 54.4% of exports, Moldova 12.6%, and Slovakia 6.7%, with a combined share of 73.8% 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 milled rice and broken rice to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's imports of milled rice and broken rice reached 36 280 tonnes, a slight increase of 2.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 35 351 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 41 176 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 14.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Myanmar, and Spain were the main suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to Romania. Bulgaria accounted for 51.3% of imports in kind, Myanmar for 15.9%, and Spain for 11.3%, together comprising 78.5% of total imports.

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

Romania imported 23 450 thousand US dollars worth of milled rice and broken rice in 2020, which is 9.2% higher than in 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 483 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2018 at 26 352 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 18.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Spain, and Myanmar were the key markets for Romania's imports in value terms, together accounting for 72.8% 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