Odoriferous substances for food and drink market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for odoriferous substances was shaped by the consolidation of large food and beverage companies, such as Romaqua Group becoming the largest entrepreneurial business in the sector in 2018. European Union regulations on flavorings and food additives continued to influence market standards, while rising demand prompted major factories to operate at full capacity in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected supply chains, contributing to a temporary dip in import volumes, but investments in digitalization and technology helped maintain production growth.

From 2021 onwards, consumer preferences shifted towards premium products and smaller packaging, increasing the value per unit of market volume. The implementation of the Norm for the safety of non-animal origin foods in 2022 regulated import and export operations, and major investments in bakery facilities signaled rising downstream demand. Further regulatory adaptations, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) from 2024, alongside growing demand for natural ingredients, supported market expansion, with production rising to 2 571 t by 2024.

Production odoriferous substances for food and drink in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of odoriferous substances for food and drink in Romania was valued at 8 363 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 57.3% increase compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 1 293 tonnes of odoriferous substances for food and drink, showing a substantial 74.4% rise from the previous year.

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

Exports odoriferous substances for food and drink from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Exports of odoriferous substances for food and drink from Romania grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments reached 1 154 tonnes, which is 37.5% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 132%, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania exported odoriferous substances for food and drink to a diverse range of markets. Poland accounted for 24.7% of exports in kind, Uzbekistan for 9.5%, and France for 8.5%, together making up 42.7% of the total. The remaining 57.3% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

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, M $ US

In 2020, exports of odoriferous substances for food and drink from Romania totaled 6.1 million US dollars, a 32.5% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 80.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 21.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.5%, while the highest increase was in 2018 at 54.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, France, and Belarus were the top buyers of odoriferous substances for food and drink from Romania in value terms, with shares of 15.4%, 11.1%, and 9.9%, respectively. Together, they represented 36.3% of total exports, while a wide array of smaller partners accounted for the rest.

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

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

Imports odoriferous substances for food and drink to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of odoriferous substances for food and drink into Romania declined. In 2020, imports stood at 23 725 tonnes, reflecting a moderate 7.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.4%, with an annualized rate of 10.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 25 742 tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, France, and Germany were consistently the main sources for imports in kind of odoriferous substances for food and drink into Romania. Ireland accounted for 68.6% of imports, France for 11.2%, and Germany for 6.0%, together making up 85.8% 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, M $ US

Imports of odoriferous substances for food and drink into Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 195.8 million US dollars, corresponding to a 1.3% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 17.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ireland dominated imports in value terms, accounting for 78.0% of the total. The remaining volume was shared among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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