Romania is the fifth-largest agricultural country in the EU, with overall grain and oilseed supply exceeding demand. Total grain output surpassed 25 million tons in 2024. However, protein products such as soybeans still rely on imports of around 450,000 tons per year, heavily dependent on South America. The Chinese market is showing rising demand for high-quality wheat and sunflower oil, creating structural complementarity in China-Romania agricultural trade. Key risks stem from climate volatility, EU Common Agricultural Policy adjustments, and Black Sea logistics uncertainties.
Sources: EU Commission Agricultural Reports (Mar 2025), Romania National Institute of Statistics INS (Feb 2025), FAO Database (2025); July 2026 data carries forward prior values with no latest public update.
Romania's agricultural products overall show a "grain surplus, protein shortage" profile. Total grain production in 2024 was about 25.8 million tons, with domestic consumption around 19 million tons, leaving an exportable surplus of approximately 6.8 million tons. The soybean supply-demand gap is notable, with annual consumption of about 580,000 tons against local production of only about 130,000 tons, with imports covering the shortfall.
| Category | Production (10k tons) | Consumption (10k tons) | Net Export / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 1,050 | 480 | +570 (net export) |
| Maize | 1,200 | 780 | +420 (net export) |
| Sunflower Seed | 320 | 280 | +40 (net export) |
| Soybean | 13 | 58 | -45 (net import) |
Sources: Romania National Institute of Statistics INS (Feb 2025), EU Eurostat (Jan 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
Sources: INS Romania, Eurostat; data based on full-year 2024 statistics, no latest public update as of July 2026.
China is the world's largest soybean importer, with import volume of about 102 million tons in 2024. Domestic wheat production stands at about 137 million tons, with supply-demand largely balanced but still importing high-gluten quality wheat. Sunflower oil consumption is growing notably; in 2024, China's imports of sunflower oil from Romania grew by about 12% year-on-year, reflecting rising recognition of Romanian agricultural products.
Sources: General Administration of Customs of China (issued Jan 2025), Shengyishe (Mar 2025), Longzhong Information (Feb 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values with no latest public data.
Romania's agricultural product market is predominantly locally produced, with grain self-sufficiency exceeding 130%. Imports are concentrated in protein feeds (soybeans, soybean meal) and some processed foods. In 2024, total agricultural product imports amounted to about €8.9 billion, with soybean and soybean meal accounting for about 18% of imports. Feed grains represent the largest share of consumption, at about 55% of total consumption.
Sources: Romanian Ministry of Agriculture (Jan 2025), Eurostat (Feb 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
Romania's agricultural exports are led by grains and oilseeds. Wheat accounts for about 38% of total export value, maize about 29%, and sunflower seeds and oil about 18%. Imports are mainly soybeans, soybean meal, and processed foods. Among niche categories, organic grains and high-protein wheat are high-value-added growth segments.
| Segment | Export Share | 2024 Trend | Target Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat (incl. durum) | 38% | ↑ 6% | Middle East, North Africa, EU |
| Maize | 29% | Stable | EU, Middle East |
| Sunflower Seed/Oil | 18% | ↑ 8% | EU, China |
| Soybeans (Import) | — | Import dependency 78% | Brazil, USA |
Sources: Romania National Institute of Statistics INS (Feb 2025), EU Eurostat (Jan 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
Sources: INS Romania, Eurostat; data based on 2024 statistics, no latest public update as of July 2026.
Sunflower oil is Romania's most competitive core finished product, with 2024 production of about 1.2 million tons and exports of about 750,000 tons, accounting for about 28% of EU sunflower oil exports. Wheat flour production is about 3.2 million tons, with domestic consumption of about 2.4 million tons and exports of about 800,000 tons. Both finished products have stable supply-demand fundamentals and strong export price competitiveness.
Sources: EU Commission Agricultural Market Observatory (Mar 2025), Romanian Millers' Association (Feb 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
Intermediate cost transmission has a significant impact on the competitiveness of Romanian agricultural products. In 2024, the average price of diammonium phosphate (DAP) in China producing regions was about RMB 3,850/ton, with a Romania CIF reference of about USD 520–560/ton. For seed costs, about 60% of hybrid maize seeds in Romania rely on imports. Feed additives (such as lysine) are approximately 45% imported from China.
| Intermediate Product | China Reference Price | Romania CIF Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) | ~RMB 3,850/ton | ~USD 520–560/ton |
| Hybrid Maize Seeds | — | Import dependency ~60% |
| Feed-grade Lysine | ~RMB 8,200/ton | ~USD 1,100–1,250/ton |
Sources: Longzhong Information (Mar 2025), Shengyishe (Feb 2025), Argus Media (Jan 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
Sources: Longzhong Information, Shengyishe, Argus Media; no latest public update as of July 2026, carries forward prior values.
Romania's GDP growth rate in 2024 was about 2.1%, with agriculture accounting for about 4.3% of GDP. Bilateral trade between China and Romania totaled about USD 10.8 billion in 2024, of which agricultural product trade was about USD 680 million. The Romanian Leu (RON) to USD exchange rate fluctuated within the 4.45–4.75 range throughout the year, providing some support for export competitiveness.
Sources: World Bank (Jan 2025), General Administration of Customs of China (Jan 2025), National Bank of Romania BNR (Feb 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
⚠ Risk The geopolitical situation in the Black Sea continues to affect logistics corridor stability; rising frequency of extreme weather threatens grain yields; EU CAP reforms may adjust subsidy structures.
✓ Opportunity Deepening China-Romania agricultural cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative; ample growth potential for Romanian organic agricultural exports to China; investment window exists for localized protein feed substitution solutions.
Sources: Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Feb 2025), EU Commission Climate Report (Mar 2025), Ministry of Commerce of China (Jan 2025); July 2026 carries forward prior values.
Note: Data in this report as of July 2026 carries forward the latest publicly available values from 2024–2025, marked "carries forward prior values with no latest public data."