Romania: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Romania

The Romanian beef market dropped to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -11.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a perceptible contraction. Beef consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Production in Romania

In value terms, beef production reduced sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 43%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of beef (cattle meat) in Romania reduced to X kg per head, with a decrease of -5.3% compared with 2020 figures. In general, the yield showed a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 4%. The beef yield peaked at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in Romania; stabilizing at 2020. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals saw a slight reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports from Romania

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) increased by 27% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 101%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 63% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from Romania, with a combined 40% share of total exports. Sweden, Germany, Poland, France, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Austria, Libya, Kosovo and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 51%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Kosovo (with a CAGR of +199.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for beef exported from Romania were the Netherlands ($X), Sweden ($X) and Bulgaria ($X), together accounting for 36% of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, France, Poland, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Libya, Hungary, Kosovo and Slovenia, which together accounted for a further 52%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Kosovo, with a CAGR of +194.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 20%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Austria (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into Romania

In 2021, overseas purchases of beef (cattle meat) increased by 9.5% to X tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, beef imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to Romania, with a combined 49% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +70.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Lithuania ($X) constituted the largest beef suppliers to Romania, together comprising 53% of total imports.

Lithuania, with a CAGR of +87.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 21% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 38% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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