Strawberries market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian fresh strawberry market volume showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, moving from 32 999 tons to a period high of 37 415 tons. After a slight dip to 31 751 tons in 2019, consumption jumped by over 4 900 tons the following year. The market then contracted in 2021 before stabilizing near 32 400 tons in 2022 and recording its strongest volume in 2023.

This trajectory was shaped by contrasting trends in domestic output and foreign supply. Local strawberry production fell from 26 080 tons in 2018 to a low of 17 600 tons in 2022, only partially recovering to 20 640 tons by 2023. Over the same period, imports more than doubled, rising from 7 113 tons to 17 028 tons, which sustained overall market availability and drove the net growth in volume.

Production strawberries in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania was among the world's leading strawberry producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 29th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Romania's strawberry production increased in 2020. The country produced 22 960 tonnes of strawberries that year, marking a 1.5% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 15.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 22 620 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year drop of 13.3% also occurring that year.

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

Exports strawberries from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania exported 110 tonnes of strawberries, representing a 34.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 31.8%, averaging an annual decline of 12.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 82 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 194 tonnes. The most significant year-on-year decrease was in 2019, when exports fell by 57.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Germany together accounted for 84.2% of Romania's total strawberry exports by volume. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but less significant portion of the export market.

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 data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. There was a 3.5-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019. In 2020, the value of strawberry exports from Romania reached 194 thousand US dollars, an abrupt rise of 247.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 56 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 56.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Germany, and Poland consistently held leading positions in Romania's strawberry export market by value. Hungary accounted for 42.1% of exports, Germany for 24.1%, and Poland for 17.8%. Together, these three countries represented 83.9% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's strawberry imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 13 833 tonnes that year, a 50.1% uptick compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 110.8%, equating to an annualized increase of 28.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Romania's strawberry imports by volume was dominated by Greece and Turkey, which together accounted for 81.4% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail with smaller contributions.

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 strawberry imports by value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 22 095 thousand US dollars, up by 41.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 82.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Turkey, and Germany remained the principal suppliers of strawberries to Romania by value. Greece accounted for 38.4% of imports, Turkey for 32.3%, and Germany for 10.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 81.0% of total import value during this period.

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

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