Soybean oilcake market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian soybean oilcake market began the period at 231.8 million US dollars in 2018, characterized by a heavy reliance on imports from Brazil and Argentina to cover domestic consumption. This dependency stemmed from a structural deficit in local production, exacerbated by the EU-wide ban on cultivating genetically modified soybeans, which put domestic processors at a competitive disadvantage despite subsidies supporting conventional soybean area, which peaked that year. Investments by major players like Terracult in processing non-GMO soybeans for certified oilcake began to add domestic supply, but the scale remained limited compared to import volumes.

Market value grew significantly to 276.0 million US dollars by 2021, supported by increased agricultural sector turnover and continued development of local non-GMO processing capacity. The adoption of the Strategic Plan under the Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 established a framework for supporting protein crops like soybeans. However, in 2022, the market value dipped slightly to 265.6 million US dollars, as climatic factors and irrigation limitations constrained the expansion of soybean cultivation area, affecting the potential for greater domestic production.

The market expanded again to 298.8 million US dollars in 2023, primarily driven by higher import values. By 2024, the market value receded to 279.9 million US dollars, as a notable drop in domestic production outweighed a marginal increase in imports. Throughout the entire period, imports remained essential to meet the consistent demand from the livestock sector, underpinning market size.

Production soybean oilcake in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Romania's soybean oilcake output was valued at 64 159 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 2.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

Romania's soybean oilcake production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2019, the country produced 300.0 thousand tonnes of soybean oilcake, marking a substantial 62.5% increase compared to 2018. Between 2018 and 2019, production rose by 48.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 17.3%. Production peaked in 2020, reaching 300.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase recorded that year at 62.5%.

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

Exports soybean oilcake from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Soybean oilcake exports from Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 185.3 thousand tonnes of soybean oilcake, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 37.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's soybean oilcake exports in kind were primarily directed towards Bulgaria and Moldova, which together accounted for 81.6% of total flows. Other destinations played a secondary role in the export 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

Soybean oilcake deliveries from Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 80.7 million US dollars, representing a robust 16.1% advance compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 57.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two markets—Bulgaria and Moldova—played the leading roles in Romania's soybean oilcake exports in value terms, together accounting for 80.3% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports soybean oilcake to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, soybean oilcake imports into Romania declined. In 2020, imports totaled 555.9 thousand tonnes, indicating a moderate decrease of 4.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 7.7%, while imports peaked in 2019 at 584.4 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Argentina were the dominant suppliers of soybean oilcake to Romania, together taking 83.6% of total imports in kind. Other partners formed a less significant background in the import structure.

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

Foreign soybean oilcake supplies to Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 207.8 million US dollars, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 23.3%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 12.1%. Imports reached their maximum value in 2018 at 236.5 million US dollars.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Argentina were the dominant destinations for Romania's soybean oilcake imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.8% of total flows. The remaining volume was split among smaller markets.

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

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