Romania: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in Romania

The Romanian frozen freshwater fish market totaled $X in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -1.9% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in Romania

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports from Romania

In 2021, shipments abroad of frozen freshwater fish increased by 44% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 63%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Moldova (X tons) were the main destinations of frozen freshwater fish exports from Romania, with a combined 79% share of total exports. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Cyprus lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +169.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for frozen freshwater fish exported from Romania were the UK ($X), Hungary ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 73% share of total exports. Moldova, Germany, Spain, Italy, Cyprus and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Germany, with a CAGR of +165.4%, saw 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

The average frozen freshwater fish export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, frozen freshwater fish export price increased by +115.8% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 44%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Cyprus ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Moldova ($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 France (+18.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports into Romania

In 2021, after six years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of frozen freshwater fish, when their volume increased by 14% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a drastic downturn. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of frozen freshwater fish imports to Romania, together accounting for 51% of total imports. Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Argentina, Hungary and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +66.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Turkey ($X) and Bulgaria ($X) constituted the largest frozen freshwater fish suppliers to Romania, together accounting for 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Argentina, Hungary and Estonia, which together accounted for a further 26%.

Lithuania, with a CAGR of +73.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average frozen freshwater fish import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($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 (+15.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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