Primary processing is becoming an increasingly relevant direction for Romanian farms, especially for small and medium-sized holdings seeking ways to increase the added value of their production. According to the European Commission’s Farm Income Report 2024, farms that integrate processing achieve incomes 15–30% higher compared with those that market only raw materials.

In Romania, data from the National Institute of Statistics indicate a rise in the number of farms selling minimally processed products such as farm cheeses, cut meat, or simple preparations. This trend is driven by consumer demand for local and traceable products, as well as by the need of farmers to stabilize their income amid volatile market conditions.

According to AFIR, the projects submitted in 2024 for investments in small processing units include equipment for cooling, sanitation, packaging, and storage. In the dairy sector, on-farm mini-processors reduce losses, improve quality control, and facilitate access to local markets. In the meat sector, cutting and packaging on the farm allow for better product valorization, but require strict compliance with ANSVSA sanitary regulations.

The 2023–2027 CAP Strategic Plan provides funding for such investments, and farms that adopt primary processing become more resilient to price changes and market fluctuations.

On-farm processing is not just an economic solution, but a long-term strengthening tool for small producers.

(Photo: Freepik)