Potato market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian fresh potato market volume declined steadily from 3 158 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 366 thousand tonnes in 2023. The most pronounced drop occurred in 2020, when consumption fell by over one million tonnes to 1 777 thousand tonnes.

From 2021, the contraction was fueled by a reduction in planted area, low yields stemming from a lack of irrigation systems, and increasing prices for agricultural inputs. In 2022, the National Phytosanitary Authority reiterated legal requirements for potato production and circulation, and the market became more dependent on imports, which reached 59.7 million euros against exports of only 3.1 million euros.

In 2023, Ecofrost accelerated its expansion on the Romanian market through major investments and the launch of new products, including small, practical packaging for families. By 2024, potato production had fallen to 968 thousand tonnes with the EU's lowest yield of 14.7 tonnes per hectare, compelling farmers to invest in irrigation while the market relied heavily on imported potatoes.

Production potato in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania was one of the world's leading potato producers, ranking 27th globally by production volume.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Romania's potato production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 601 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a sharp drop of 39.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 48.6%, with an average annual decline of 19.9%.

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

Exports potato from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Potato export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2019 at 5.7 thousand tonnes and the highest in 2020 at 24.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 324.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 52.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine were consistently the main destinations for Romania's potato exports in volume terms. Moldova accounted for 61.5% of exports, Poland for 13.5%, and Ukraine for 12.0%, together making up 87.0% of total export flows.

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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Export values fluctuated, with the lowest in 2019 at 1 888 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2020 at 4 094 thousand US dollars, a 2.2-fold gap. In 2020, exports increased sharply by 116.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 21.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine formed the core group of markets for Romania's potato exports in value terms. Moldova represented 49.1% of exports, Poland 23.9%, and Ukraine 8.7%, together accounting for 81.7% 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 potato to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, foreign potato supplies to Romania declined. In 2020, imports reached 199.9 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 47.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 13.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 207.7 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 40.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, France, and Germany were the top suppliers of potatoes to Romania in volume terms. Poland accounted for 22.3% of imports, France for 19.1%, and Germany for 15.5%, together representing 57.0% 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, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Import values varied, with the lowest in 2017 and the highest in 2019 at 73 901 thousand US dollars, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, potato import values in Romania stood at 53 220 thousand US dollars, down by 28.0% year-on-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 114.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Greece, and Poland were the three main markets for Romania's potato imports in value terms, together absorbing 52.2% 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