Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian wheat and meslin flour and cereals market saw significant new investment and specialization in 2018. Al Dahra Holding, a major international agribusiness, entered the market by acquiring farmland and establishing a grain procurement office, marking a substantial commitment to the sector. Concurrently, the establishment of Cooperativea Biruința Olteniei introduced a direct-to-consumer online model for premium, traceable, stone-ground flour, targeting health-conscious urban buyers. These developments signaled a diversifying market landscape, even as overall market volume showed minor fluctuations, declining slightly to 1 143.6 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 1 168.0 thousand tons by 2021.

Government intervention shaped the market from 2023 onward. The extension of import restrictions on flour and cereals from Ukraine via Emergency Ordinance 84/2023 aimed to protect domestic processors and jobs, coinciding with an 18% drop in imports to 162.3 thousand tons that year. This contributed to a contraction in total market volume to 1 076.2 thousand tons in 2023. The same year also saw the launch of cricket flour as a novel alternative protein product, reflecting niche innovation in healthy and sustainable foods. In 2024, Romania solidified its position as the EU's leading soft wheat exporter, and the prolongation of Ukrainian import restrictions into 2025-26 provided continued support for local producers. This environment helped domestic production rebound to 955.7 thousand tons, driving a market volume recovery to 1 106.0 thousand tons.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals output reached its lowest value at 296.0 million US dollars. The following year, in 2020, production increased to 305.8 million US dollars, marking a modest gain of 3.3% compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production volume increased in 2020, following a two-year decline. Output reached 966 thousand tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production decreased by 54.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -23.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2017 at 2 140 thousand tonnes, while the lowest was in 2019 at 964 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 53.5%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Romania hit their lowest point at 5.0 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, exports rebounded to 9.5 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial increase of 90.5% compared to 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2017, creating a 5.5-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 72.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals export market was broadly diversified. Indonesia accounted for 19.5% of exports, Hungary for 11.7%, and Libya for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 42.2% of total export flows, with the remaining 57.8% distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

Export values followed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2019, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Romania reached their lowest value at 2.358 million US dollars. The following year, in 2020, export value increased to 4.426 million US dollars, showing strong growth of 87.7% compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2017, creating a 3.3-fold difference between the peak and trough years. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when export value fell by 63.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals export market in value terms was highly dispersed. The United Kingdom accounted for 17.4% of export value, Moldova for 11.8%, and Indonesia for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.6% of total export flows, with the remaining 59.4% distributed among a wide range of 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 187.7 thousand tonnes. This represented a slight increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary and Bulgaria dominated Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals import market, together accounting for 85.1% of total import volume. The remaining share was distributed among other countries with smaller individual 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Import value reached 4.426 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate rise of 7.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 42.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Italy were the main sources of Romania's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 64.5% of import value, Bulgaria for 15.4%, and Italy for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented 84.4% of total import value.

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

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