Romania: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Romania

For the third consecutive year, the Romanian rice market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -17.1% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Rice Production in Romania

In value terms, rice production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a mild downturn. Rice production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of rice in Romania declined remarkably to X tons per ha in 2021, waning by -33% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average rice yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the harvested area of rice in Romania dropped to X ha, shrinking by -9.3% against 2020. In general, the harvested area recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 9.8%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the rice harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Rice Exports

Exports from Romania

In 2021, shipments abroad of rice decreased by -20.6% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 106% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rice exports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 64% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

Slovakia (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Moldova (X tons) were the main destinations of rice exports from Romania, together comprising 79% of total exports. Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Serbia, the UK, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +118.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for rice exported from Romania were Italy ($X), Slovakia ($X) and Moldova ($X), together accounting for 79% of total exports. The UK, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Lithuania, Spain, Bulgaria and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +99.3%, 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 rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 7.1% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, rice export price increased by +15.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 49% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Moldova ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($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 Italy (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports into Romania

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of rice decreased by -16% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 39%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, rice imports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a prominent 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, imports increased by +60.5% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Bulgaria (X tons) constituted the largest rice supplier to Romania, accounting for a 65% share of total imports. Moreover, rice imports from Bulgaria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Greece (X tons), fivefold. Myanmar (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Bulgaria stood at +8.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (-0.4% per year) and Myanmar (+29.0% per year).

In value terms, Bulgaria ($X) constituted the largest supplier of rice to Romania, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Bulgaria stood at +7.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (-0.9% per year) and Italy (+2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average rice import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :