Romania Reaches 165% Self-Sufficiency in Poultry Sector, Says Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu

Romania has achieved a self-sufficiency rate of 165% in the poultry sector, according to Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Florin Barbu. The announcement was made during a seminar held in Târgu Jiu, Gorj County, on July 22, 2025, which brought together over 100 farmers. The event focused on the implementation of the 2014–2020 National Rural Development Programme (PNDR) and the opportunities available under the new EU financial framework.

In his speech, Minister Barbu highlighted key achievements in livestock farming, with a special focus on poultry production. In 2024, Romania produced over 598 million broiler chickens, of which approximately 18 million were raised in Gorj County alone. Exports exceeded 200 million birds, with France, Italy, and other European countries as the main destinations.

“We have reached 165% self-sufficiency in the poultry sector. Our goal is to achieve the same level across all Romanian agricultural branches – crop production, livestock, and food processing,” said Barbu.

In addition to the sector’s strong performance, the Minister emphasized the need for systemic change, particularly in simplifying access to EU funding.

“It is essential to build, together with the banking system and the Guarantee Fund, a more accessible and predictable mechanism for financing European projects,” he stated, as quoted in an official post on the Ministry’s website.

Also present at the seminar were Dana Rebega, Director General of the PNDR Managing Authority, who presented updates on current interventions, and Cosmin Mihai Popescu, President of the Gorj County Council, who underscored the importance of agricultural investment for regional economic development.

Participants received information on upcoming funding measures and priorities for the new programming period. According to the Ministry, Romania’s remarkable results in poultry farming are largely due to investments supported through the PNDR in the modernization of farms, slaughterhouses, and breeding centers, including in the sheep sector.

Authorities now aim to replicate this model across all relevant agricultural sectors, with a strong focus on increasing value-added in agri-food chains. Minister Barbu reiterated that a strong partnership with farmers is essential for the success of rural development programs.

“Romanian farmers are the backbone of national agriculture. Without constant and practical dialogue, no program can achieve real success,” he concluded.

The visit to Gorj was part of a tour conducted between July 21 and 23 in the counties of Gorj, Caraș-Severin, and Mehedinți. The purpose of these meetings was to directly assess the status of local PNDR projects and to work with beneficiaries to identify solutions for accelerating agricultural development in the region.