Romania Records Strong Growth in Agri-Food Exports, but Trade Deficit Remains High

Romania recorded a significant increase in agri-food exports in 2024; however, the trade deficit remains high. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the total value of agricultural exports exceeded €9.8 billion, up 12% compared to the previous year, while imports rose to €11.5 billion.

The main exported products include cereals, oilseeds, and live animals, whereas imports consist predominantly of processed goods such as meat, dairy products, canned foods, and bakery items. Eurostat confirms that Romania continues to export raw materials and import finished products — effectively losing the added value generated by processing.

According to DG AGRI, for every euro earned from gross exports, Romania loses between €0.30 and €0.40 due to the lack of domestic processing capacity. This dependency weakens economic resilience and exposes farmers to fluctuations in international prices.

The medium-term solution lies in strengthening the food processing industry. Through the National Strategic Plan (PNS) 2023–2027, the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR) has opened funding lines worth €500 million for local processing units, logistics, and marketing. Building partnerships among farms, cooperatives, and processors can help transform Romania’s exports from a matter of quantity into one of quality.

(Photo: Freepik)