Category: Romania

The change in consumer behavior has led to an increase in the consumption of nuts in the world. In 2018 Romania became the leading producer of nuts in Europe. In a constantly evolving market, Romania has succeeded in securing its leadership in the sector thanks to more than 500 land for cultivation and a production of 45 million units, increased by 40% compared to 2015.

PRODUCTION OF WALNUTS FROM 2010 TO 2018

Walnuts represent the 95% of global dried fruit exports and 50% of Romanian ones. After the nuts, dried fruit exports concern hazelnuts and almonds. The main suppliers are Ukraine, Hungary and Italy.

DRIED FRUIT TRADE

In the last 7 years the dried fruit market has become increasingly important. Imports have increased significantly. In 2011 they were 5.2 tons, while in 2018 they reached 10,000 tons.

Almond plants are grown on large areas, with a Mediterranean climate in the southern and western regions of the country. Consumer demand is offset by imports. 

WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION

The world production of nuts in shell, according to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation, amounted to about 4.8 million tons in 2018, growing by 11% compared to the 2016/2017 period. The products that record the greatest increases are almonds (1.18 million tons, 28%), followed by walnuts (854 thousand tons, equal to about 20%), pistachios (762 thousand tons, about 18%), cashew nuts (almost 755 thousand tons, about 18%) and hazelnuts (397 thousand tons, about 9% of the total). 

ITALIAN IMPORT

The first three products concerning dried and dried fruit, imported in Italy, according to data Inc, are hazelnuts, almonds and raisins. Hazelnuts had a negative trend in imports from 2005 to 2010, going from 68 thousand to around 40 thousand, while from 2010 to 2015 they started growing again, reaching around 57 thousand tons. Situation similar to that of almonds with a rise since 2015. Instead, the supply of raisins is stable.

PRODUCTS THAT CONSUMERS WOULD BUY ONLINE

The Agroter fruit and vegetable monitor asked a thousand Italian consumers which fruit and vegetable product they would buy on the web in the future. At the top of the ranking, with over 50% of the votes, we find dried and dried fruit, and specifically walnuts (56%). The products that still raise doubts are melons (26%), tomatoes (26%) and strawberries (only 20% of respondents would buy them online).

Potential of the agricultural sector in Romania

The agricultural sector in Romania has a very high potential. The country total production value increased by 12.5% in 2017 compared to the previous year – equal to 78.5 billion RON, or 17.2 billion EUR, according to data analyses by the INS (National Statistics Institute). The country has the sixth surface level dedicated to agriculture in the EU - 13.9 million hectare - after France, Spain, UK, Germany and Poland (PwC Romania). The Agricultural sector in Romania engages around 30% of the workforce of the country and it contributes to 7.9% of the total GDP of the country, a very high level considering that the European average covers only 1.9%. The majority of the land is dedicated to cereal cropping (23.6%) and it covers 2/3 of the total agricultural land. Grain production represented over a third (34.8%) of the whole crop production. Sunflower seed has also an extensive exploitation, Romania indeed is positioned as one of the top producer in the EU. Vegetables, with a particular large production of cabbages, onions, potatoes, green peppers and tomatoes are also cultivated around the cities of Timișoara, Arad, Craiova, Galați, Brăila and Bucharest. The agricultural sector in Romania offers a relevant wine industry too. Thanks to its large export, Romania, indeed, can be considered one of the most important wine-producing country of Europe. The most famous vineyards are located in the area of Odobesti, Panciu, and Nicoresti.

Challenges of the agricultural sector in Romania

The agricultural sector in Romania has past various historical period and the last relevant changed was defined in 2014 when a new law has completely liberalized the acquisition of agricultural lands to foreign investors (law n. 17/2014). This new law has accelerated the innovation and mechanisation process of the agricultural sector in Romania, but the general productivity remains still too low. A side-effect of this new law is the so-called “land grabbing” which has created a high concentration of power and a monopoly in the sector. According to a research developed by the Institute TNI (www.tni.org/en) the 0.4% of the Romanian agricultural companies own more than 48% of the lands. In addition to this, there are other main problems to solve: in Romania there is a spread tax evasion, there is lack of training among farmers and the low level of capitalisation of the sector.

Main Agricultural Sectorial Fairs in Romania

INDAGRA in Bucharest - 30 October - 03 November 2019 - (https://www.indagra.ro/en/ )

AGROMALIM in Iasi - to be defined - (http://www.agri-events.ro/ - http://www.ccia-arad.ro/agromalim/ )