Mushrooms and truffles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018 and 2019, the market for fresh or chilled mushrooms and truffles in Romania maintained a stable volume around 18 000 t. During this period, cheap imports from Poland pressured local producers' competitiveness, while sales of wild mushrooms were regulated under Law no. 30/2006, influencing market supply conditions.

Market volume contracted to 16 002 t in 2020 before recovering to 16 609 t in 2021. The regulatory environment continued to be shaped by EU marketing standards for cultivated mushrooms and national rules governing the harvest and sale of wild species.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a phase of significant growth, reaching 19 782 t in 2023. This expansion was driven by the reactivation of the country's sole mushroom compost plant, which bolstered domestic production capacity, supported by non-repayable state funding for growers. Concurrently, rising consumer demand for local and fresh products in major retail chains and the emergence of new market segments, including marinated mushrooms, provided further stimulus.

Production mushrooms and truffles in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania was among the world's leading producers of mushrooms and truffles from 2017 to 2020, ranking 26th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

World map of production of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 14,320 tonnes of mushrooms and truffles, marking a 3.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 13,870 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 15,510 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's mushrooms and truffles production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 141.5 million US dollars, representing a 5.3% year-over-year advance. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 126.5 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 9.3%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a 6.2% rise.

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

Exports mushrooms and truffles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania exported 4,855 tonnes of mushrooms and truffles, an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 4,348 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 5,636 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.8% drop, and the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 13.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Italy, Germany, and Hungary—together accounted for 81.7% of Romania's total exports of mushrooms and truffles in volume terms.

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

In 2020, Romania's exports of mushrooms and truffles reached 47,969 thousand US dollars, showing a robust 13.8% uptick compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 42,135 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Spain were the largest buyers of mushrooms and truffles from Romania in value terms. Italy accounted for 67.4% of exports, Germany for 9.7%, and Spain for 7.2%, together forming 84.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports mushrooms and truffles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Romania's imports of mushrooms and truffles declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 6,537 tonnes, representing a substantial 24.4% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 8,642 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 46.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the country structure of Romania's imports in volume terms was primarily shaped by Poland and Hungary, which together accounted for 81.3% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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 advance, Romania's imports of mushrooms and truffles declined. In 2020, Romania imported 13,888 thousand US dollars worth of mushrooms and truffles, representing a 25.0% reduction versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 30.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 18,527 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 66.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Romania's imports of mushrooms and truffles in value terms. Poland accounted for 52.6% of imports, Hungary for 13.4%, and Bulgaria for 6.7%, with a combined share of 72.7% 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