Tomato market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Romanian tomato market volume fluctuated, reaching a peak of 591.6 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was underpinned by increased household spending on vegetables and rising consumer interest in fresh, local, and organic products, with tomatoes representing 17% of the fresh produce category's sales. However, domestic production faced challenges due to climatic vulnerabilities and a lack of modern storage and irrigation infrastructure. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, supply chain disruptions affected costs and availability, yet demand remained robust. By 2021, rising imports from Turkey, exceeding 60.6 thousand tonnes, helped supplement the market as domestic production faced pressure, while inflation began to climb, increasing production and transport expenses.

A sharp market contraction followed in 2022, with volume dropping to 379.6 thousand tonnes and further declining to 360.8 thousand tonnes in 2023. This downturn was primarily driven by a significant fall in domestic output, which plummeted below 300 thousand tonnes in 2022. Soaring inflation, which reached 13.80% in 2022, alongside heightened production and transport costs, severely pressured farmer margins. Despite record-high tomato imports from Turkey, making Romania the largest European client for Turkish tomatoes, the total market supply contracted. Financial support for farmers through de minimis aid was introduced to stimulate local production, but consumers grew increasingly price-sensitive, maintaining a preference for local and fresh produce.

Production tomato in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, tomato production in Romania rebounded in 2020. The country produced 493.7 thousand tons of tomatoes that year, marking a significant 13.1% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production actually fell by 27.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 436.6 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 31.7% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of Romania's tomato production showed signs of recovery in 2020. Output was valued at 452.4 million US dollars that year, representing a modest 2.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, the production value declined by 44.2%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 17.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 443.3 million US dollars, and the most substantial decline happened in 2018 with a 36.9% drop.

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

Exports tomato from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's tomato exports continued their upward trend for the third consecutive year in 2020. Exports reached 1,741 tons that year, showing a 4.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by an impressive 400.8%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 71.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova, Poland, and Spain were the primary destinations for Romania's tomato exports in volume terms. Moldova accounted for 48.1% of exports, Poland for 23.2%, and Spain for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 80.3% of Romania's total tomato exports during this period.

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 value of Romania's tomato exports showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value stood at 1.6 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 5.6% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 161.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Poland, and Spain formed the core group of destinations for Romania's tomato exports in value terms. Moldova represented 41.1% of export value, Poland accounted for 26.3%, and Spain contributed 10.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 77.6% of Romania's total tomato export value during this period.

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

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

Imports tomato to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania imported 90,736 tons of tomatoes in 2020, representing an 11.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 18.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.7% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 with 14.0% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Spain, and Germany emerged as the main sources of Romania's tomato imports in volume terms. Turkey supplied 51.3% of imports, Spain contributed 9.1%, and Germany accounted for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 69.3% of Romania's total tomato imports during this period.

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

In 2020, Romania's tomato imports were valued at 112.7 million US dollars, showing a 5.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 20.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 1.9% decrease, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 with 16.9% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Germany, and the Netherlands were the principal suppliers of tomatoes to Romania in value terms. Turkey accounted for 44.1% of import value, Germany represented 13.9%, and the Netherlands contributed 12.1%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 70.1% of Romania's total tomato 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