Soybeans market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Romanian soybean production reached 492.7 thousand tonnes, supported by expanded cultivation areas and agricultural policies promoting soy as a nitrogen-fixing crop. Output then declined over the next two years, falling to 440.1 thousand tonnes in 2019 due to less favorable weather and profitability concerns, and further to 340.8 thousand tonnes in 2020 despite continued subsidy support, with climatic factors and water availability highlighted as key constraints.

The market partially recovered in 2021 as production rose to 367.7 thousand tonnes, a period marked by record soybean imports that influenced domestic prices. A sharp drop followed in 2022, with output falling to 258.5 thousand tonnes amid volatile input costs, adverse weather, and the initial implementation of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023‑2027, which affected farmer decisions.

By 2023, production rebounded to 320.8 thousand tonnes, driven by ongoing policy support for sustainable practices and growing EU‑wide demand for plant‑based proteins as alternatives to meat.

Production soybeans in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Romania ranked as the 17th largest producer of soybeans between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Soybean production in Romania fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 340.8 thousand tonnes of soybeans, a 22.6% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.4%, averaging a 4.7% annual decline. The highest output was in 2018 at 492.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 25.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Soybean production in Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of soybean output was 151.8 million US dollars, a sharp 26.6% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 208.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 24.1%.

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

Exports soybeans from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania exported 168.6 thousand tonnes of soybeans in 2020, down 27.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.4%, with a compound annual decline of 14.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 139.2 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 49.2%. In contrast, 2019 had the biggest increase of 67.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Italy, and Turkey were the top markets for Romania's soybean exports by volume. Russia accounted for 29.7% of exports, Italy for 15.5%, and Turkey for 14.5%, together making up 59.7% 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

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's soybean exports were valued at 75.1 million US dollars, a steep 31.2% decrease from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2018 at 59.0 million US dollars, which also had the largest decline of 49.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 85.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Germany, and Italy were the leading markets for Romania's soybean exports by value, collectively accounting for 59.4% 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 soybeans to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend over these years. Import volumes varied significantly, with a 3.2-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Romania imported 251.8 thousand tonnes of soybeans, a sharp increase of 212.3% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was in 2019 at 80.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 69.2%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 261.3 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, the United States, and Moldova were consistently the top sources for Romania's soybean imports by volume. Brazil contributed 58.5% of imports, the United States 19.9%, and Moldova 7.1%, together representing 85.5% 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

Volatility marked the market behavior during this timeframe. Import values fluctuated 3.1 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Romania's soybean imports totaled 105.1 million US dollars, a steep increase of 196.8% over the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 35.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 67.9%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 110.3 million US dollars.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, the United States, and Moldova formed the main group of sources for Romania's soybean imports by value. Brazil accounted for 52.4% of imports, the United States for 20.2%, and Moldova for 6.0%, together making up 78.6% 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