An analysis of the cost structure in an average Romanian crop farm highlights an increasingly pronounced imbalance between direct expenses and the capacity to recover them through output prices. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and Eurostat studies on agricultural costs, in 2024 the total cost per hectare for basic crops ranged between RON 3,800 and RON 5,200, depending on technology and location.

Inputs represent the main source of economic pressure. Fertilizers accounted for between 20% and 28% of total costs, plant protection products for 12% to 18%, and fuel and energy for 10% to 14%. Labor costs remain below 8%, but are on an upward trend due to the shortage of skilled personnel.

Machinery depreciation and financial expenses related to credit financing constitute a critical component. In highly mechanized farms, depreciation can exceed 15% of the total cost per hectare, particularly in the context of elevated interest rates during the 2023–2025 period.

For 2026, the break-even threshold is extremely sensitive to minor price or yield variations. A detailed analysis of per-hectare costs becomes a mandatory decision-making tool for maintaining economic viability.

(Photo: Freepik)