Rye market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian rye market opened the period at 30 508 tonnes in 2018, supported by promotional efforts for authentic varieties and consumer education events aimed at revitalizing the category. However, in 2019, market volume fell to 28 775 tonnes as high energy and agricultural input costs pressured production and prices.

The market recovered to 32 104 tonnes in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns, boosting demand for staple grains like rye. A stronger rebound followed in 2021, with volume reaching 37 166 tonnes, driven by the relaxation of pandemic restrictions and a growing consumer preference for local, authentic products.

In 2022, the war in Ukraine introduced supply uncertainties and further raised energy and fertilizer costs, limiting growth to a modest increase to 38 561 tonnes. The market then contracted to 33 649 tonnes in 2023 due to rising excise duties, inflationary pressures, and below-average temperatures that affected both production and consumption.

Production rye in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Romania consistently ranked 30th globally in rye production volume.

Top producers of rye, 2017-2020

World map of production of rye, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 28 490 tonnes of rye, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 26 180 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 28 640 tonnes. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, when production fell by 8.6%.

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

Exports rye from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's rye exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 73 tonnes, representing a 29.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 82.4%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 43.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Italy, and the Netherlands remained the top destinations for Romania's rye exports in volume terms. Hungary accounted for 39.0% of exports, Italy for 27.1%, and the Netherlands for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.2% 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 showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes varied 3.5 times from the high in 2017 to the low in 2020. In 2020, Romania's rye exports were valued at 47.9 thousand US dollars, down 48.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 57.4%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Italy, and Poland were the principal buyers of Romanian rye in value terms. Hungary accounted for 30.0% of export value, Italy for 24.5%, and Poland for 23.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 77.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rye to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's rye imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 3 687 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 36.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 392.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 70.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary was the dominant source for Romania's rye imports, accounting for 70.4% of total import volume. Other countries contributed to a smaller portion of imports.

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 rye import value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 793.6 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong year-over-year growth of 24.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 396.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 70.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Austria formed the core of Romania's rye imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 54.6% of import value, Poland for 24.6%, and Austria for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 91.2% 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