Pastry market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Romanian pastry market received a boost from La Lorraine's major €12.5 million investment in pre-baked production, which expanded manufacturing capacity. Simultaneously, the launch of new concepts like Piața 9 introduced specialized players targeting HoReCa and retail. By 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted demand patterns: fresh pastry sales declined, while consumers and foodservice businesses increased purchases of frozen and ready-to-bake items. This boosted the frozen segment, partly cushioning the overall market volume drop, which in physical terms fell from 1 315 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 199 thousand tonnes in 2020.

From 2021, European regulations limiting trans fats to 2g per 100g of fat came into force, compelling producers to reformulate recipes, raising costs and contributing to higher average prices. Concurrently, consumer preference research by Puratos revealed growing demand for quality pastries with natural ingredients, stimulating premium offerings such as Öhlala Pâtisserie. In 2022, the Fornetti franchise model lowered barriers for new entrants, while heightened consumer interest in 'instagrammable' desserts pushed companies to innovate in packaging and assortment. Expectations of further growth were confirmed by La Lorraine's announcement of a €200 million investment aimed at strengthening its position in the frozen segment.

By 2023, the Romanian pastry market showed recovery: physical volume reached 1 216 thousand tonnes, approaching pre-pandemic levels, while value surged to 2 623 million US dollars, reflecting a persistent trend toward higher prices and premiumization. Imports and exports continued to expand through 2024, indicating the market's integration into international value chains.

Production pastry in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, pastry production in Romania was valued at 1 609 million US dollars, marking a 10.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Romania ranked as the 5th largest producer of pastry globally.

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 1 163 thousand tonnes of pastry, which represents a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 10.2%, with an average annual decrease of 3.5%.

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

Exports pastry from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's pastry exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 66.4 thousand tonnes of pastry, an 8.1% rise from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 40.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's pastry exports in kind were distributed across numerous markets. Bulgaria accounted for 16.6% of these exports, Hungary for 9.5%, and Greece for 9.0%, with these three countries together making up 35.1% of total export volumes.

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

Romania's pastry exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 163.0 million US dollars, a 15.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 54.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary were among the largest buyers of Romanian pastry in value terms, accounting for 15.5%, 12.1%, and 7.9% of exports, respectively. However, even combined, they represented just 35.5% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports pastry to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Romania's pastry import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 102.3 thousand tonnes, a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.1%, with an average annual rate of 4.8%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 103.7 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 10.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Bulgaria, and Poland were the main sources for Romania's pastry imports in kind, representing 19.8%, 16.0%, and 15.1% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 50.9% of total import volumes.

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

Romania's pastry imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were approximately 253.5 million US dollars, showing a controlled gain of 3.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Poland, and Italy remained the key markets for Romania's pastry imports in value terms, together accounting for 50.2% 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