Romania’s dairy products industry remains one of the most dynamic branches of the food sector, yet the market structure shows a clear dominance of foreign capital. Financial analyses for the 2008–2024 period indicate that only a few Romanian-owned companies manage to remain among the top producers, while most market leaders belong to multinational groups.

Data for companies classified under NACE code 1051 – the manufacture of dairy products and cheese show that approximately 1,098 companies are registered in Romania, of which 925 are active. In 2024, a total of 447 companies submitted financial statements, reporting a combined turnover of around RON 9.4 billion, a net profit exceeding RON 402 million, and approximately 9,050 employees. Compared with 2008, the sector has become more productive: profitability has increased, while the number of employees has declined by about 30%, driven by technological modernization and industry consolidation.

The ranking of producers is dominated by companies controlled by international groups, particularly from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece. Among the most significant players are processors operating well-known brands on the local market, such as Albalact (part of the Lactalis Group), Danone, Fabrica de Lapte Brașov – Olympus, and Hochland. In this context, the number of Romanian companies among the leading producers remains limited, with only a few local firms consistently competing with large European groups.

The evolution of the industry also depends on the structure of milk production at the farm level. Romania has approximately 1.2 million cattle, yet only about 375,000 cows regularly supply milk to processors, which limits domestic sourcing and sometimes leads to imports of raw milk. Under these conditions, the development of commercial dairy farms and the consolidation of the supply chain remain essential elements for the competitiveness of the dairy sector.

(Photo: Freepik)