Pork remains the central meat product in Romania’s consumption structure, yet the domestic supply chain is still unable to fully meet market demand. The processing industry operates at a high capacity, but a significant share of the raw material comes from imports.

The issue is not a lack of consumption, but rather the fragility of the production sector. Over the past decade, the development of commercial pig farms has been affected by repeated outbreaks of African swine fever, as well as by the high costs associated with investments in biosecurity and modernization.

Annual consumption exceeds approximately 700,000 tonnes of pork, while domestic production covers only part of this level. The gap is filled through significant imports from Western European countries, particularly Spain, Germany, and Poland.

For the food industry, this dependence on external markets means constant exposure to price volatility and to the dynamics of the European market. Strengthening commercial farms and modernizing production capacities remain essential elements for reducing reliance on imports and stabilizing the domestic market.

(Photo: Freepik)