Roasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian roasted coffee market from 2018 to 2020 was shaped by the rapid expansion of specialty third-wave coffee culture. The opening of numerous artisanal roasters and coffee shops, such as Origo and Dropshot, educated consumers and increased the incidence and frequency of fresh roasted coffee consumption. This foundational growth was then reinforced in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted consumption patterns towards online orders, home delivery subscriptions, and at-home drinking, supporting market volume amid rising demand for organic and premium products.

The period from 2021 to 2023 was defined by significant cost pressures and a consequent shift in consumer behavior. A sharp rise in green coffee prices, driven by droughts in Brazil and typhoons in Vietnam, led to higher market value while dampening physical volume. This triggered a down-trading trend, with consumers moving towards more affordable whole bean and capsule coffee formats. The capsule and ready-to-drink segment expanded, supported by modern retail distribution and new product launches like Strauss's Doncafé Brazil. By 2023, growing consumer interest in traceability and sustainability, fueled by impending EU regulations on deforestation, contributed to a recovery in consumption volume.

In 2024, regulatory changes and continued market sophistication drove further growth. The impending EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), requiring proof of sustainable bean origin, directly impacted green coffee imports. Simultaneously, the increase of VAT for coffee served in HORECA establishments from 9% to 19% altered the on-trade segment's dynamics. These factors coexisted with capital investments in specialty roasting, exemplified by OPYA's new facility in Iași following a €435,000 investment, and an ongoing trend of premiumization through new blends and local ingredients, supporting a notable rise in both market volume and value.

Production roasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 78 723 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual year-on-year decrease of 6.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 18.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 97 884 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 14.4% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of decline, Romania's production volume of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee increased. In 2020, Romania produced 14 073 tonnes, reflecting a 4.8% rise compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 7.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 430 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.9%.

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

Exports roasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Romania's export volume of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 585 tonnes, representing a significant reduction of 13.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 826 tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 34.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee from Romania were Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Poland. Bulgaria accounted for 24.0% of exports in kind, Slovakia for 17.6%, and Poland for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 54.4% of total exports in kind.

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, roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee shipments from Romania totaled 11.6 million US dollars, indicating a modest decrease of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 10.4 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 12.7 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 21.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovakia formed the main cluster of markets for Romania's exports in value terms. Bulgaria accounted for 27.0% of exports, Poland for 13.8%, and Slovakia for 11.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.8% 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, not decaffeinated coffee to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's import volume of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 40 263 tonnes, marking a robust gain of 13.2% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 30.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Bulgaria, and Italy were the three largest markets for Romania's imports in kind, together accounting for 79.2% 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, M $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee to Romania reached 218.7 million US dollars, showing a robust improvement of 12.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline was recorded 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 accounted for the largest share of Romania's imports in value terms. Germany represented 29.1% of imports, Bulgaria 25.2%, and Italy 22.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.5% 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