Romania's livestock market shows high pork import dependency and near self-sufficiency in poultry. In H1 2026, pork prices remained elevated due to rising feed costs and persistent African Swine Fever (ASF). Dairy export potential is growing. Structural complementarity exists between China and Romania in specialty cheeses and live animal trade, though attention must be paid to EU trade policies and animal disease risks.
Sources: Eurostat 2025 annual data, Romanian National Institute of Statistics (INS) 2025 annual report, China General Administration of Customs 2025 trade statistics | Updated June 2026
Livestock production accounts for ~32% of Romania's agricultural output. Pork has the largest supply gap, poultry is broadly balanced, and beef shows a slight deficit. Overall, rising feed costs are squeezing farming margins.
| Category | Annual Output (10k tonnes) | Annual Consumption (10k tonnes) | Net Imports (10k tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork | 78–82 | 108–112 | +28~32 |
| Poultry | 50–53 | 47–50 | -2~4 (net export) |
| Beef | 18–21 | 20–23 | +2~3 |
| Milk | 1120–1160 | 1050–1100 | -50~80 (net export) |
Sources: Eurostat, Romanian National Institute of Statistics (INS) | latest data as of December 2025
China's livestock product market was generally stable in H1 2026. After destocking, pig herd recovery has gradually progressed, with pork prices trending mildly upward. Feed ingredient prices (soybean meal, corn) fluctuated with international markets. Imports of Romanian dairy products into China continued to expand in variety.
Sources: China General Administration of Customs 2025 annual trade report, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs livestock price weekly June 2026, Business Community (Shengyishe) soybean meal quotes June 2026 | compiled July 1, 2026
Romania's livestock market operates within the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. Pork prices rose ~9% YoY in H1 2026, driven by both feed costs and ASF. Dairy prices remained relatively stable, while export competitiveness improved.
Sources: Romanian Ministry of Agriculture monthly market report June 2026, Eurostat trade database | June 2026 data
Romania's livestock products can be divided into five main categories: pork products, poultry products, dairy products, live animals, and beef. Imports of processed pork (ham, sausage) have notably increased, while cheese exports continue to expand.
| Segment | Annual Imports (10k tonnes) | Main Sources | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh/Frozen Pork | 22–26 | Germany, Spain | ▲ Volume & price up |
| Processed Pork | 5–7 | Italy, Germany | ▲ Import growth |
| Cheese & Curd | Export 6–8 | Italy, Bulgaria | ▲ Export expansion |
| Live Cattle | Export 4–6 (10k head) | Middle East, North Africa | Stable |
Sources: Eurostat trade database, Romanian INS sector reports | 2025 annual data
Pork is Romania's largest meat category; the supply gap continues to widen. Domestic production in 2026 is expected to remain around 800,000 tonnes, while consumption is about 1.1 million tonnes, with imports filling the gap. Dairy butter and cheese production are growing, with a clear export orientation.
Sources: Eurostat livestock statistics 2025, Romanian Ministry of Agriculture Q1 2026 report | updated June 2026
Feed ingredients account for 60–70% of livestock production costs. Corn and soybean meal prices stayed relatively high in H1 2026. Veterinary medicines and feed additives saw modest price increases due to global supply chain factors.
| Intermediate / Raw Material | China Ex-factory Price | Romania CIF Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | ~CNY 2,380/t | ~€235–250/t (CIF) |
| Soybean meal | ~CNY 3,620/t | ~€420–445/t (CIF) |
| Feed additives | ~CNY 8,500/t | ~€1,050–1,150/t |
Sources: Business Community, EU Feed Industry Association (FEFAC) | June 2026 data
Romania's 2025 GDP growth was ~2.1%. The share of livestock in agricultural GDP remains stable. China-Romania agricultural trade continues to grow; Romanian dairy exports to China benefit from preferential EU tariff arrangements.
Sources: World Bank 2025 country data, China General Administration of Customs, Romanian INS | updated June 2026
African Swine Fever (ASF) remains the biggest risk variable for Romania's pork sector. Opportunities include rising Chinese demand for European specialty dairy products, Romania's cheese export potential, and complementarity in feed raw material trade.
Sources: World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) 2026 ASF report, European Commission agricultural policy documents | updated June 2026