Not frozen prepared potatoes market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2020 and 2024, the Romanian market for not frozen prepared potatoes underwent a clear transition from volume-driven to value-driven growth. In physical terms, market size contracted from 19.8 thousand tonnes in 2020 to 15.7 thousand tonnes in 2024, a reduction of over 20%. Conversely, the market's value expanded consistently from $83.2 million to $105.6 million over the same period, indicating a rise in average prices or a product mix shift. Production volumes were volatile, jumping by 29% in 2021 to 25.1 thousand tonnes and peaking at 26.7 thousand tonnes in 2022 before moderating.

The market environment in 2024 was influenced by significant developments in the raw potato sector. Romania's raw potato harvest fell by 18% compared to 2023, yielding the lowest per-hectare output in the EU. This sharp decline in domestic raw material supply was coupled with low farmgate prices that discouraged planting, and the National Phytosanitary Authority reiterating legal requirements for potato circulation. These factors tightened input conditions for processors, yet production of prepared potatoes still edged up slightly in 2024.

A major structural change was the rapid expansion of exports, which more than doubled from 6.0 thousand tonnes in 2020 to 11.2 thousand tonnes in 2024, transforming Romania into a net exporter. This growth in outbound shipments helped offset the decline in domestic consumption volume, while imports halved over the period, reducing foreign competition on the local market.

Production not frozen prepared potatoes in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's output of not frozen prepared potatoes was valued at 90 866 K $ US, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16%, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 19 403 t of not frozen prepared potatoes, showing little change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 9.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Exports not frozen prepared potatoes from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Exports of not frozen prepared potatoes from Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 6 047 t, marking a 21.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 55.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the dominant buyer of not frozen prepared potatoes from Romania, accounting for 79.5% of total exports in kind, while other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

Exports of not frozen prepared potatoes from Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 24 806 K $ US worth of not frozen prepared potatoes, showing a robust gain of 24.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 60.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria clearly dominated exports in value terms of not frozen prepared potatoes from Romania, taking 77.3% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports not frozen prepared potatoes to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not frozen prepared potatoes into Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 424 t, corresponding to an 8.8% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 78%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (64.3% of imports in kind), Germany (13.0% of imports in kind), and Bulgaria (9.5% of imports in kind) consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 86.8% 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 showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's imports of not frozen prepared potatoes tallied 17 112 K $ US, showing a slight decline of 1.4% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17 355 K $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 71.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Poland (68.6% of imports in value terms), Germany (10.9% of imports in value terms), and Bulgaria (4.3% of imports in value terms) played the leading roles in imports in value terms of not frozen prepared potatoes to Romania, jointly taking 83.9% 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