Plums and sloes market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The plum and sloe market in Romania opened the period at 841.9 thousand tons in 2018, a level supported by the country's temperate climate optimal for cultivation and its established role as a major EU producer, with much of the output used for distillation and preserves. After a drop to 707.7 thousand tons in 2019, the market recovered to 772.7 thousand tons in 2020. This growth aligned with an 8.1% expansion in the industrial sector, which strengthened fruit processing and distribution infrastructure. The upward trend continued into 2021, reaching 820.0 thousand tons, a period that also saw a broader expansion of agricultural businesses, as signaled by growth in related horticultural sectors.

Market volume fell sharply to 681.3 thousand tons in 2022. The decline continued to 661.5 thousand tons in 2023, significantly influenced by the regional disruption following the war in Ukraine, which strained supply chains and reduced the availability of fresh fruit on the market. This constrained supply contributed to higher consumer prices and the observed contraction in volume.

Production plums and sloes in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Romania maintained its position as the world's second-largest producer of plums and sloes by volume.

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

World map of production of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with 830.1 thousand tonnes, representing an 86.6% increase from the previous year. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 16.6%. By 2020, output recovered to 757.9 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate 9.4% year-over-year growth. Overall, the difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017 was 1.9 times.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of plum and sloe production in Romania reached 750.7 million US dollars, marking a dramatic 36.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 43.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 68.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 18.9%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Romania's plum and sloe exports rebounded in 2020. The country exported 160 tonnes that year, representing a substantial 21.4% increase compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 131 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 68.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 71.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -34.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Italy were the primary destinations for Romania's plum and sloe exports by volume. Germany accounted for 36.0% of exports, Hungary for 16.0%, and Italy for 13.9%. Together, these three markets represented 66.0% of Romania's total plum and sloe exports during this period.

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 export market showed considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. Export values peaked in 2017, then fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 104 thousand US dollars, before recovering to 158 thousand US dollars in 2020—a sharp 51.8% improvement from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 75.4%. The difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019 was 5.4 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Hungary formed the main cluster of markets for Romania's plum and sloe exports by value. Germany accounted for 44.0% of export value, Italy for 15.1%, and Hungary for 12.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.4% of Romania's total plum and sloe export value during this period.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Romania's plum and sloe imports declined slightly in 2020. Import volumes totaled 14 947 tonnes that year, reflecting a modest 1.2% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 126 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 26.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 57.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 16.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Moldova remained the dominant source for Romania's plum and sloe imports by volume, accounting for 76.2% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

Romania's plum and sloe import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 8 082 thousand US dollars—a 30.2% advance compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 5 373 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 28.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova, the Netherlands, and Germany were the largest contributors to Romania's plum and sloe import value. Moldova accounted for 61.0% of import value, the Netherlands for 10.8%, and Germany for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 78.0% of Romania's total plum and sloe import value during this period.

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

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