Tallow market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The tallow market in Romania showed a gradual expansion from 20 471 tons in 2018 to 21 361 tons in 2023, though not without fluctuations. A notable dip occurred in 2020 when market volume fell to 20 493 tons, primarily due to supply chain disruptions and shifts in consumer behavior caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regulatory measures provided underlying support for production. The Animal Husbandry Law no. 32/2019 established a formal framework for livestock breeding and management, helping to stabilize the raw material base for tallow. This was followed in 2022 by updated technical norms for bovine carcass classification and stricter animal protection laws, which aimed to improve the quality and traceability of raw materials entering the market.

External cost pressures, including rising energy and raw material prices amplified by the war in Ukraine in 2022, tempered more robust market growth. Despite these headwinds and a reported decline in animal numbers in 2023, announced investments in the domestic food processing sector contributed to maintaining industrial capacity, allowing the market volume to reach 21 361 tons that year.

Production tallow in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 24th globally in tallow production.

Top producers of tallow, 2017-2020

World map of production of tallow, 2017-2020

Romania's tallow production volume declined after a two-year increase. In 2020, the country produced 20 700 tonnes of tallow, which is 1.9% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 21 100 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's tallow output was valued at 8 427 thousand US dollars, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to 2019. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 8 797 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline was observed in 2019 at 4.5%, while the largest increase took place in 2018 at 6.3%.

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

Exports tallow from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's tallow export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 228.1 tonnes of tallow, representing a sharp drop of 28.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 25.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 436.4 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase at 41.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Italy, and Greece were the principal buyers of Romanian tallow in volume terms, accounting for 32.5%, 31.0%, and 17.3% of exports respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.7% of Romania's total tallow exports by volume.

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

Romania's tallow exports declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 92.9 thousand US dollars, which is 26.8% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 26.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 184.5 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 31.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 45.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia, Italy, and Greece were the main buyers of Romanian tallow in value terms, accounting for 38.4%, 24.3%, and 17.1% of exports respectively. Collectively, these three countries comprised 79.7% of Romania's total tallow 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 tallow to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's tallow import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 21.2 tonnes, down by 40.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 84.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 46.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Germany were the key sources for Romania's tallow imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 80.2% of total import flows. Other trading partners contributed much smaller individual shares.

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

In 2020, Romania's tallow import value reached 58.6 thousand US dollars, marking a significant increase of 34.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 48.3%, with an average annual decline of 19.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 43.4 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 116.2 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 62.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Germany were the largest contributors to Romania's tallow import value, accounting for 56.3%, 22.1%, and 11.8% respectively. Together, these three countries represented 90.3% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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