Oats market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The oat market in Romania contracted substantially from 389 thousand tons in 2018 to 158 thousand tons in 2023. This decline was most pronounced in 2020, when market volume fell by nearly 45% to 204 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market shrank further to 158 thousand tons. This was influenced by seasonal imbalances in global oat production, which affected supply and prices. Concurrently, rising energy costs and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East added volatility to grain transportation and production expenses, pressuring the local market.

In 2024, the sown area for oats in Romania was reported to have decreased, threatening domestic supply. While the number of active firms in the cereal sector grew significantly, local production covers only a small part of demand, indicating sustained reliance on imports amid persistent high input costs.

Production oats in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked as the 18th largest producer of oats globally.

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Oats production in Romania declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 196.7 thousand tonnes of oats, representing a year-over-year drop of 45.6%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 51.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 21.6%.

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

Exports oats from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's oats exports totaled 5 162 tonnes, marking a significant increase of 288.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 329 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Austria, and Germany remained the top buyers of oats from Romania, accounting for 45.2%, 13.5%, and 10.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 68.8% of total exports in kind.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.8 times. In 2020, exported oats from Romania were valued at 993 thousand US dollars, up by 176.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 359 thousand US dollars in 2019, with the largest decline that year at 48.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Morocco, France, and Austria were the main markets for oats exports from Romania in value terms, with shares of 28.3%, 26.7%, and 11.7%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 66.7% 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 oats to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Imported oats volumes in Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 12 109 tonnes, reflecting a sharp year-over-year uptick of 67.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 765.2%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 105.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Bulgaria were the core sources for oats imports in kind, jointly accounting for 86.7% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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 volume of oats imports in Romania rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 3 476 thousand US dollars, indicating a gain of 25.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 459.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 77.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Czechia, and Bulgaria emerged as the primary markets for oats imports in value terms, with shares of 67.3%, 10.1%, and 10.1%, respectively. Together, these countries represented 87.5% 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