Sauces, condiments, seasonings and mustard market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sauces and condiments in Romania grew from 67 471 t in 2018 to 78 003 t in 2019, driven by an increase in the number of local producers to 84 companies and consumer preference for natural labeling. Major suppliers like Fuchs and Solina expanded their product portfolios, supporting production growth. However, in 2020, volume fell to 70 548 t as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted demand towards ready-to-use sauces and online channels, disrupting traditional distribution.

Post-2020, the market recovered, reaching 82 633 t by 2023. This expansion was fueled by significant investments in production capacity, including Fuchs Condimente's facility expansion in Argeș and Solina Romania's new 17 million € plant in Alba-Iulia. Regulatory changes, such as EU rules on plastic packaging and Order No. 120/2022 on food safety, began affecting market access and labeling from 2022, while the war in Ukraine increased raw material costs.

In 2024, market volume slightly decreased to 81 739 t, with value remaining at 152.7 million USD. The consolidation of international groups like Fuchs and Solina as market leaders, along with the implementation of EU Regulation 625/2017 on traceability and a push towards sustainable packaging, continued to shape the market dynamics during this period.

Production sauces, condiments, seasonings and mustard in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 41 726 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 5.4% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 34 421 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 15.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's production of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 35 309 tonnes were produced, representing a slight 1.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 29 812 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.3%. Conversely, 2019 had the largest increase of 17.3%.

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

Exports sauces, condiments, seasonings and mustard from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's export volume of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 16 056 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 25.8% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 98.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Hungary, and Germany were the largest buyers of Romania's sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard in volume terms, accounting for 19.7%, 15.3%, and 11.2% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 46.2% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

Romania's export value of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 41.2 million US dollars, showing a significant 23.2% rise over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports doubled, increasing by 100%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 26.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom were key buyers of Romania's sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard in value terms, with shares of 27.4%, 10.3%, and 10.1%, respectively. Their combined contribution reached only 47.7% of total exports, while the remaining 52.3% was distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports sauces, condiments, seasonings and mustard to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Romania's import volume of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard declined. In 2020, imports totalled 51 294 tonnes, indicating a modest 8.1% year-on-year contraction. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.2%, with an annualized rate of 6.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 55 803 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Romania's imports in volume terms was highly diversified. Hungary, Germany, and the Netherlands accounted for 18.3%, 15.1%, and 14.1% of imports, respectively, but together they represented only 47.5% of total flows. The remaining 52.5% was distributed among many smaller partner countries.

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

After a two-year increase, Romania's import value of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard declined. In 2020, imports reached 102.9 million US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 28.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 103.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 17.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's imports of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and mustard in value terms were characterised by a broad spread across markets. Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia accounted for 18.4%, 13.5%, and 12.0% of imports, respectively, but together they represented only 43.9% 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