Romania remains one of the main poultry meat producers in Central and Eastern Europe, yet a paradox persists: it exports large volumes of raw meat while importing high value-added processed products.

This asymmetry reflects the urgent need for modernization and integration within the processing chain.

According to Eurostat (2024), Romania exported over 190,000 tons of poultry meat, valued at approximately €420 million, mainly to Bulgaria, Germany, and Italy. At the same time, imports of prepared and processed poultry products exceeded €300 million, primarily from Poland, the Netherlands, and Hungary.

This negative trade balance is explained by the structure of the industry: around 70% of Romania’s production comes from large farms oriented toward export, while advanced processing remains limited to a few companies with foreign capital. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), only 30% of slaughtered poultry meat is converted into value-added products, reducing the sector’s competitiveness.

The European Commission’s Agri-Food Trade Report 2024 highlights that Poland dominates the European market thanks to its integrated “farm–slaughterhouse–brand” model, which reduces logistical costs and increases profit margins. Romania has similar potential but remains fragmented, with insufficient capital concentration and weak promotion of Romanian products on external markets.

FAO notes that emerging markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia are becoming key destinations for European poultry exports. Romania could capitalize on its logistical proximity and product quality if it develops export networks and internationally recognized certifications (HALAL, IFS, BRC).

In 2025, the National Strategic Plan (PNS) offers up to 65% funding for investments in processing and value chains, including the development of regional brands.

Romania has natural advantages, livestock expertise, and tradition. But to transform this potential into sustainable profit, it must shift from exporting raw meat to exporting brands and finished products — the only path capable of ensuring true economic independence.

(Photo: Freepik)