Roasted coffee market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, changing consumer habits supported market activity, with a growing preference for fresh roasted coffee, a younger age for first consumption, and the emergence of the craft segment drawing initial investments and consumer education. These shifts coincided with rising imports, which increased from 35 720 t to 36 027 t in 2019, while exports grew from 1 375 t to 1 844 t, indicating heightened trade flows even before detailed market size data was available.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reshaped the market, as restrictions on the HoReCa sector reduced out-of-home consumption but boosted at-home coffee drinking and e-commerce sales. This contributed to a market volume of 53 377 t in 2020, which then declined to 51 107 t in 2021 and 49 719 t in 2022. In value terms, however, the market grew steadily from $289.9 million in 2020 to $349.4 million in 2022, primarily driven by substantial price increases. In 2022, coffee prices rose by about 40% due to a doubling of green coffee costs on international exchanges and severe climate issues in Brazil, which reduced global supply and increased import costs for Romania. Major players responded by launching new products and focusing on growing channels like direct consumer sales and the bean coffee segment.

By 2023, price growth moderated to 8%, leading to downtrading within traditional ground and instant coffee categories. Market volume edged up to 51 110 t, while value jumped to $400.7 million, reflecting higher unit prices. Bean coffee consumption reached nearly 20% of the at-home market by value, with ready-to-drink, capsule, and blend segments also expanding. Consumer interest in specialty and traceable coffees continued to influence preferences. In 2024, the market volume recovered to 55 792 t, and value rose to $451.3 million, marking a return to volume growth alongside sustained value increases.

Production roasted coffee in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's roasted coffee production was valued at 79 511 thousand US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 14 145 tonnes of roasted coffee, with only marginal fluctuations compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.5%.

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

Exports roasted coffee from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's roasted coffee exports declined in 2020, reaching 1 614 tonnes, a decrease of 12.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 22.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 844 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 34.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Poland were the key destinations for Romania's roasted coffee exports in volume terms. Bulgaria accounted for 23.9% of exports, Slovakia for 17.4%, and Poland for 12.6%, together representing 53.9% 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, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's roasted coffee exports amounted to 11.9 million US dollars, a decrease of 7.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 7.8%. The highest value was in 2019 at 12.8 million US dollars, marking the largest increase of 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovakia consistently led Romania's roasted coffee exports in value terms. Bulgaria accounted for 26.9% of exports, Poland for 13.6%, and Slovakia for 10.8%, together making up 51.4% 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 roasted coffee to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's roasted coffee imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 40 845 tonnes, up by 13.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Bulgaria, and Italy were the primary sources for Romania's roasted coffee imports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 30.9% of imports, Bulgaria for 26.6%, and Italy for 21.5%, together representing 79.1% of total import 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, M $ US

In 2020, Romania imported roasted coffee worth 222.2 million US dollars, an increase of 13.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 24.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Bulgaria, and Italy were the largest suppliers of roasted coffee to Romania in value terms. Germany accounted for 29.3% of imports, Bulgaria for 24.9%, and Italy for 22.2%, together forming 76.4% of total imports.

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

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