Romania: Frozen Whole Fish Market 2025

Frozen Whole Fish Market Size in Romania

In 2021, the Romanian frozen whole fish market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Whole Fish Production in Romania

In value terms, frozen whole fish production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 46%. Frozen whole fish production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Whole Fish Exports

Exports from Romania

In 2021, the amount of frozen whole fish exported from Romania declined to X tons, dropping by -9.3% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports faced a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen whole fish exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 76%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Moldova (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) were the main destinations of frozen whole fish exports from Romania, together comprising 68% of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Lithuania, Germany, Spain, the United States, Serbia, Belgium, Bulgaria and Cyprus, which together accounted for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Serbia (with a CAGR of +427.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for frozen whole fish exported from Romania were Moldova ($X), the UK ($X) and Ghana ($X), with a combined 64% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States, Lithuania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Belgium and Cyprus, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Serbia, with a CAGR of +231.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average frozen whole fish export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 40% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.8%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Bulgaria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ghana ($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 Lithuania (+89.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Whole Fish Imports

Imports into Romania

In 2021, the amount of frozen whole fish imported into Romania fell to X tons, waning by -4.7% against 2020 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 24%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole fish imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest frozen whole fish supplier to Romania, with a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen whole fish imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), twofold. Poland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands stood at +4.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (-0.8% per year) and Poland (-10.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest frozen whole fish suppliers to Romania were the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Poland ($X), together comprising 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by Canada, Turkey, Sweden and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Canada, with a CAGR of +46.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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 frozen whole fish import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue 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 Turkey ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+4.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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