Vertical integration is becoming an increasingly adopted strategy among pig farms in Romania, given high costs and strong competition from imports. The model involves a single company controlling the entire production chain – from feed cultivation and animal rearing to slaughtering and processing.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), only 15% of pig farms in Romania are fully vertically integrated, but these account for over 50% of national production. Efficiency stems from reducing intermediary costs and ensuring better control over product quality and traceability.

European examples show that integrated farms achieve profit margins 20–25% higher than traditional ones. In Romania, farms that own their own processing units manage to market pork at more favorable prices, around 18–20 lei/kg, compared to 14–15 lei/kg for farms that sell only live animals.

For 2025, PNS and AFIR programs include funding for the construction of small and medium-sized slaughterhouses dedicated to farms or cooperatives. This direction could help reduce imports and strengthen the swine sector, turning Romanian farms into competitive players on the European market.

(Photo: Freepik)