The average annual productivity of a dairy cow in Romania stands at approximately 3,400–3,600 kg per head per year, according to data published by Eurostat for the 2023–2024 period. This is the lowest level in the European Union and represents less than half of the European average, which exceeds 7,800–8,000 kg per head per year. In countries such as Germany, the Netherlands or Denmark, yields frequently exceed 8,000–9,000 kg per head per year, the difference being generated by genetics, nutrition, technology and industrial integration.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, the structure of the sector explains a significant part of this gap. Romania has a high number of small farms, with limited herd sizes and a low level of technological development. This fragmentation affects the standardization of production, the stability of delivered volumes and the capacity to amortize investments in modern milking, cooling and herd management equipment.

From an economic perspective, low productivity directly influences the unit cost of raw milk. At a yield of around 3,500 kg per year, fixed costs are distributed over a smaller volume of milk, which reduces processors’ margins and limits external competitiveness. Data from the FAO confirm that countries with high productivity dominate international trade flows precisely due to their cost advantage and supply stability.

In the absence of farm consolidation, investments in genetics and efficient farm–processing integration, the productivity gap will continue to negatively influence Romania’s positioning on the European dairy market. Increasing the average yield per cow remains the key indicator for reducing the trade deficit and for transforming the sector from a sales market into a competitive supplier.

(Photo: Freepik)