Molasses market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Romanian molasses market experienced significant volume fluctuations, primarily tied to changes in domestic sugar beet production, which provides the key raw material. A sharp contraction in beet cultivation areas to 8 888 ha and a drop in beet output to 281 331 tonnes in 2022 severely constrained molasses production, leading to a low market volume of 34 345 t that year. Conversely, the recovery of beet areas to 22 922 ha and production to 875 124 tonnes by 2024 supported a rebound in molasses output, although the total market volume eased to 42 269 t due to a concurrent steep fall in imports.

Operational disruptions in the sugar industry further shaped the market. The closure of major processing units—the Pfeifer&Langen beet extraction plant in Oradea and the Lemarco raw sugar refinery in 2020—reduced overall crushing capacity, exacerbating the production decline that year. Regulatory measures, notably Government Order no. 10/2018 which established a two-year recognition procedure for sugar beet and cane refiners, framed operator activities throughout the period. In 2023, Fabrica de Zahăr Premium Luduș sold beet molasses for use in alcohol, yeast, spirit, and animal feed, highlighting demand diversification beyond traditional channels.

Strategic moves by key market participants added to the dynamics. In 2023, Agrana, a major player, confirmed it would halt raw sugar refining at its Buzău facility while maintaining packaging operations, potentially affecting the supply of cane-derived molasses. The implementation of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027 from 2024 onward set the framework for interventions in the crop sector, including sugar beet. These factors, combined with volatile import and export flows, resulted in a market volume peak of 60 206 t in 2021 before moderating in subsequent years.

Production molasses in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's molasses production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 3 717 thousand US dollars, down 27.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 18.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 42 022 tonnes of molasses, a decrease of 29.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 31.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 2.4%.

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

Exports molasses from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Exported molasses volumes from Romania have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 16 449 tonnes, down 36.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 53.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 22.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Czechia remained the primary destinations for exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 90.1% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

Molasses shipments from Romania abroad have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 841 thousand US dollars, a 22.7% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 51.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, two markets—Hungary and Czechia—played leading roles in exports in value terms, together taking 89.0% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports molasses to Romania

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 357 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 22 216 tonnes, representing a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, Romania imported 12 471 tonnes of molasses, a 43.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 79.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova was the key partner for imports in volume terms, accounting for 97.0% 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 302 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2 329 thousand US dollars, differing by 1.8-fold. In 2020, Romania imported 1 799 thousand US dollars of molasses, a significant contraction of 22.7% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 78.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, Moldova concentrated 84.0% of total imports in value terms of molasses to Romania, with the residual flows scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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

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