Romania remains one of the main agricultural producers in Central and Eastern Europe; however, the gap between the volume of raw materials obtained and the level of domestic processing continues to generate significant economic losses. The issue was brought back into focus during the national conference “Agriculture 2026: Breaking the deadlock. From agricultural production to processing and added value,” organized by Antena 3 CNN, where officials and industry representatives emphasized the structural nature of this vulnerability.

The dominant economic model of Romanian agriculture remains oriented toward the export of raw materials, especially cereals, oilseeds, and live animals, while imports of processed products continue to grow. This imbalance is directly reflected in the agri-food trade balance, where Romania consistently records a deficit despite its high agricultural potential. The lack of sufficient processing capacity and the fragmentation of investments limit the transformation of primary production into high value-added products intended for the domestic market and export.

In this context, Adrian-Ionuț Chesnoiu, Director General of the Agency for Financing Rural Investments, drew attention to the need to accelerate investments in processing. According to him, over €1 billion in European funds have been directed in recent years toward agri-food processing projects, and approximately €600 million have been allocated through the InvestAlim program for the development of industrial capacities in the sector. The stated objective is to reduce the export of raw materials and strengthen domestic value chains.

However, the results remain limited relative to the scale of the problem. The development of processing is affected by high energy costs, difficult access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, a shortage of specialized labor, and the volatility of international markets. At the same time, pressures generated by climate change and new trade agreements, including those negotiated by the European Union, are amplifying risks for local producers.

The outlook for 2025–2026 indicates the need for an integrated approach that correlates agricultural, industrial, and trade policies. Without a coherent expansion of processing capacities and without stimulating investments oriented toward added value, Romanian agriculture will continue to operate below its potential, remaining vulnerable to market fluctuations and dependent on imports for finished products.

(Photo: Freepik)