Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared beef and offal in Romania opened the period at 14.4 thousand tonnes in 2018, bolstered by increasing household incomes and a consumer shift toward Romanian-sourced beef. A decline to 12.5 thousand tonnes followed in 2019.

Market volume stabilized around 12.4–12.8 thousand tonnes from 2020 onward. The African swine fever epidemic created disruptions in the meat sector, yet beef demand proved resilient. Government COVID-19 aid schemes for cattle breeders helped mitigate rising production costs, supporting a recovery to 12.7 thousand tonnes in 2021. In 2022, the introduction of mandatory EU technical standards for cattle carcass classification raised quality benchmarks, while growing consumer interest in premium, traceable Romanian beef contributed to a further increase to 12.8 thousand tonnes.

By 2023, the market held steady at 12.8 thousand tonnes, with major players such as Unicarm and Smithfield Romania maintaining a strong presence. Recent industry data points to ongoing consolidation, as meat processors reported higher turnover in 2024 despite a smaller number of active companies, alongside rising import volumes for beef products.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Romania ranked 11th globally in terms of production volume for prepared or preserved beef and offal.

Top producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

Romania's production of prepared or preserved beef and offal rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 11 799 tonnes, marking a significant increase of 21.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 735 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 with 648 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2020 at 1 586 tonnes, representing a 2.4-fold increase between these years. In 2020 alone, exports surged by 144.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 41.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Syria, and Germany were the primary destinations for Romania's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports, accounting for 83.8% of total export volume. The United Kingdom led with 66.2%, followed by Syria at 12.7%, and Germany at 4.9%.

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

Romania's export value of prepared or preserved beef and offal increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 046 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp rise of 59.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 67.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 344 thousand US dollars, which also saw a decline of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria were the key partners for Romania's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports by value, collectively representing 77.1% of total export value. The United Kingdom accounted for 58.6%, Germany for 10.9%, and Austria for 7.7%.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved beef and offal to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal declined. In 2020, imports totaled 2 220 tonnes, a decrease of 35.2% from the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 3 425 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland, Germany, and Sweden were the main sources for Romania's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by volume, together accounting for 84.8% of total imports. Poland contributed 34.5%, Germany 29.0%, and Sweden 21.3%.

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

Following two years of growth, Romania's import value of prepared or preserved beef and offal fell. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 012 thousand US dollars, a steep decline of 31.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 9.5%, with an annualized rate of 3.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 13 203 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 33.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Sweden formed the core group of markets for Romania's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by value, representing 81.0% of total import value. Germany accounted for 28.7%, Poland for 28.4%, and Sweden for 23.8%.

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

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