Prepared or preserved pork and offal market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market for prepared or preserved pork in Romania grew significantly in both volume and value. This expansion was primarily driven by recurring African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, which constrained domestic pig herds and kept internal production relatively flat. To meet steady consumer demand, imports surged, covering around 80% of national consumption by 2023. Major processors like Smithfield Romania (Comtim) and Premium Porc reported strong revenues and continued to invest in integrated farms and modern processing facilities throughout the period, supporting some growth in local output.

Regulatory changes repeatedly shaped market access and product labeling. In 2020, new rules mandated clear declaration of meat species on product names and set stricter hygiene standards for frozen meat, restricting its sale as fresh. By 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture was preparing a ban on marketing frozen pork as fresh to protect local producers, and retailers faced new requirements for labeling thawed meat. These measures aimed to increase transparency but also maintained a complex trade environment. The Competition Council concurrently launched studies to identify administrative and financial barriers limiting small farmers' market access.

A sharp contraction in market volume occurred in 2023, falling to 5 813 t as a notable increase in exports coincided with a dip in imports. This shift was linked to the growing activity of large processors, who leveraged their expanded capacities to serve export markets. Consumer trends moved toward premiumization, with higher demand for products containing natural ingredients and clear labels. For 2024, factors indicate domestic pork production grew by approximately 13%, yet Romania's reliance on imports remained near 80%, with ongoing legislative efforts to further regulate the meat market and support local production.

Production prepared or preserved pork and offal in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 26th globally in the production of prepared or preserved pork and offal.

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

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

Romania's production of prepared or preserved pork and offal declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 574 tonnes, marking a 2.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 702 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 1.4% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of prepared or preserved pork and offal increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 16 165 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.0% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved pork and offal from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Romania's exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal declined in volume. In 2020, the country exported 6 190 tonnes, reflecting a modest reduction of 6.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 629 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase of 10.4% occurred in 2018.

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

The structure of Romania's exports in volume from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 17.0% of exports, Italy for 14.2%, and Germany for 9.6%, with these three countries together representing 40.7% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position.

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 exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports reached 27 996 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 1.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's exports in value terms of prepared or preserved pork and offal were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands held 22.2% of export value, Italy 16.1%, and Germany 10.8%, with these three countries together capturing 49.2% of total 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 prepared or preserved pork and offal to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal declined in volume. In 2020, imports totaled 10 700 tonnes, which is 9.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 831 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase of 16.2% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Czechia formed the main cluster of markets for Romania's imports in volume. Germany accounted for 45.8% of imports, Hungary for 14.7%, and Czechia for 13.0%, with these three countries together representing 73.5% 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, K $ US

Romania's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports registered 47 966 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a moderate gain of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 49.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Czechia consistently occupied leading positions in Romania's import structure in value terms. Germany accounted for 51.4% of import value, Hungary for 10.5%, and Czechia for 9.7%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 71.6% of total flows.

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

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