Romania’s agricultural exports remain high in volume but limited in added value. According to Eurostat and the National Institute of Statistics (INS), in the 2024–2025 period Romania consistently ranked among the EU’s main cereal exporters, yet the structure of exports remained dominated by raw materials.

This orientation toward volume exposes farmers and traders to fluctuations in the international market. Export prices are strongly influenced by global supply, and margins are thin. European Commission data show that the difference between the export price of raw cereals and that of processed products is significant, in favor of countries exporting added value.

From an economic perspective, volume-based exports do not guarantee financial stability. Logistics costs, port charges, and exchange rate volatility can quickly erode revenues. In 2024–2025, these elements had a direct impact on the competitiveness of Romanian cereals on external markets.

For 2026, exports remain necessary for balancing the domestic market, but they cannot be viewed as a solution for increasing farm profitability. Without integration along the value chain, exports remain a strategy for offloading production, not for maximizing income.

(Photo: Freepik)