Overview
Agriculture plays an important social and economic role in Romania, ensuring food security and supporting rural development. About 12 percent of Romanians are employed in agriculture - related activities, compared to the European Union (EU) member average of 4 percent. Agriculture contributes 3.2 percent to economic growth. With an estimated 20.5 billion EURO, Romania ranked seventh in the EU in the production value in agriculture in 2024, about 7.7 percent lower than 2023, due to reduced crop production. The speed of the farm consolidation process remains slow, with the average farm size at 4.4 hectares (HA) in 2020, well below the EU average of 15 HA. Romania ranks first in the EU in terms of number of agricultural holdings with 2.9 million. Many of these farms are subsistence and semi-subsistence farms producing on their small plots mostly to cover family needs. In 2024, about 33 percent of consumer expenditures went to food and beverages (roughly double compared to the EU average), 7 percent to alcoholic drinks, and 2 percent to food service.
Romania has 12.7 million HA of utilized agricultural area, of which 8.4 million HA are arable land, ranking fifth in the EU. The share of the area under organic farming in Romania reached 5.5 percent in 2023, half of the EU average. In 2025, wheat is projected to cover the largest area, displacing corn, which underperformed in 2024 because of severe drought and summer heatwaves. Apart from wheat and corn, Romania is a relatively large barley producer, with more than 60 percent of production destined to markets outside the EU. Among oilseeds, sunflower seed is the top crop, followed by rapeseed, and soybeans. Overall, in 2025, grain and oilseed production are anticipated to grow by 30 percent after falling by 19 percent in 2024 due to soil dryness and summer heat waves. The increased availability of grain and oilseed production is expected to reflect in a 40-percent increase in exports in the upcoming marketing year 2025/26. At the EU level, Romania is Europe’s largest sunflower seed producer as well as a top three producer of corn and soybeans.
The increased frequency of dry years urged both the private and public sectors to consider accelerating investments into irrigation infrastructure. Some of the old and non-functioning pumping stations have been refurbished. However, for many farmers, access to irrigation remains dependent on the connection to large-scale irrigation infrastructure, including large canals and pumping stations, which are to be established or upgraded. Currently, around 10 percent of the arable land is subject to irrigation contracts signed with the public land reclamation agency, but there are multiple ongoing infrastructure projects to expand the irrigated area.
Despite its prominence in agricultural commodity production, Romania remains a net food importer. In 2024, imports grew by 4.5 percent, while exports fell by 13 percent, generating a steep surge in the agricultural deficit (Table 1). Meat, dairy, beverages, and edible fruits were the major product import categories. Recently disbursed government funding aimed to spur the investments in the food-manufacturing sector and enhance local production may contribute to rebalancing trade
According to the National Institute of Statistics, the direct and indirect food and agricultural imports from the United States reached $184 million in 2024. Major categories, such as food preparations, soybeans, distilled spirits, and tree nuts accounted for more than 50 percent of total U.S. food and agricultural exports to Romania. U.S. food and agricultural products flow into Romania either directly from the United States or are transshipped through western EU ports of entry in Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Leading Sub-sectors
Soybeans and Soybean Meal
Romania is the third largest soybean producer in the EU. Soy is planted in areas with adequate rainfall or access to irrigation. Generally, Romania exports about half of its local soy production to other EU markets, notably Germany and Austria, which have strong demand for non-genetically engineered feed ingredients. On the other hand, Romania imports soybeans and soybean meal, mostly from South America and the United States, to cover the livestock demand (Table 2).
Tree Nuts
In 2024, Romanian total tree nuts import value grew by 26 percent. The United States is one of Romania’s larger tree nuts suppliers, accounting for nearly a fifth of the import value in 2024, with pistachios ranking first, followed by almonds and walnuts (Table 3).
Distilled Spirits
Romanian total import value of distilled spirits expanded further in 2024 after nearly doubling in 2021 (Table 4), supported by solid demand and new trends in consumer preferences. Whiskey imports accounted for 45 percent of total spirits imports, followed by liqueurs at 15 percent. U.S.-origin whiskey accounted for 16 percent of total whiskey import value in 2024.
Sweet Potatoes
While sweet potatoes are growing in popularity in Romania in both food service and retail sectors, they are still a niche item in the Romanian vegetable market. Imports have been steadily growing due to rising demand and consumer interest in a diversified diet. In 2024, the United States accounted for 25 percent in the total sweet potato import value (Table 5).
Opportunities for additional U.S. exports:
• Fish and seafood
• Beef
• Sauces
• Wines
• Pet food
Web Resources
agbucharest@fas.usda.gov
www.fas.usda.gov
https://gain.fas.usda.gov/#/ (GAIN reports)