Although Romania has a stable dairy sector and a long-standing tradition in milk processing, the share of exports in total production remains modest. In a European market undergoing major transformation, Romanian milk shows strong potential — but still lacks several key elements to become truly competitive internationally: standardization, origin-based marketing, and value-chain integration.

According to Eurostat (2024), Romania produces approximately 1.1 billion liters of cow’s milk delivered annually to processors, yet exports less than 5% of the total volume as finished products. Meanwhile, imports of cheese and processed dairy products exceed €250 million per year. This negative balance points to a structural issue: the added value stays outside the country.

The International Dairy Federation (IDF) highlights that countries which have developed collective origin brands — such as France, Italy, or the Netherlands — have managed to double their dairy exports over the past decade. In Romania, similar initiatives remain rare and fragmented, while small producers lack the resources for international certifications (DOP, IGP, STG).

Through the PNS 2023–2027, the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture (MADR) has introduced support measures for promoting local dairy products and investing in medium-scale processing units and cooperatives. However, the absence of a coherent export strategy and underdeveloped logistics infrastructure continue to limit external competitiveness.

According to the World Bank, integrating the entire value chain — from farm to finished product — could increase the sector’s profitability by 20–25%. Currently, processing is concentrated in just ten major companies, while thousands of small producers sell raw milk with no added value.

The European Commission estimates that demand for niche dairy products (organic, A2, lactose-free) will rise by more than 15% by 2030. Romania can capitalize on this trend through production diversification, origin-based branding, and stable regional partnerships.

Romanian milk has quality — but lacks visibility. Competitiveness is not won through production alone, but through identity and strategy. If Romania succeeds in transforming its potential into a recognizable brand, it can become a credible exporter in an increasingly selective European market.

(Photo: Freepik)