The European Union is preparing the most extensive reform of its food system in recent decades, aiming to build a sustainable, fair, and competitive agricultural economy. For Romania, this transformation represents a strategic opportunity to modernize and reposition its agri-food industry.

According to the European Commission, the reform is an integral part of the Green Deal and focuses on three main directions: reducing dependence on imports, digitizing agri-food chains, and strengthening food security at the EU level. In 2025, new standards will be introduced for fertilizers, carbon emissions, and product traceability, while farmers will gain broader access to green funds and digital transition schemes.

For Romania, the challenge is twofold. On the one hand, processing units must be modernized to meet requirements on energy efficiency and waste management. On the other, the state must provide financial support to small and medium-sized farms, which risk losing competitiveness without investment. According to Eurostat data, only 38% of Romanian agri-food enterprises currently use digital monitoring technologies, compared to the European average of 64%.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasizes that the global food transition will reshape the balance between local production and international trade, favoring countries that adopt circular economy principles early. Romania benefits from natural resources and low production costs, but it must build a coherent food brand and an efficient logistics infrastructure.

The World Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) estimate that, with full implementation of the reform, Romania could attract over €3 billion in investments by 2030 in agricultural technology, food processing, and renewable energy.

The reform of the European food system should not be seen as a constraint but as an opportunity for strategic realignment. Countries that manage to balance economic performance with ecological responsibility will dominate the value chains of the next decade. Romania has the potential to be among them — provided it moves from reaction to vision.

(Photo: Freepik)