Romania aims to bolster sheep exports amidst growing market potential

Romania is taking proactive steps to ensure the continuation of its thriving sheep export sector, recently exporting over 1 million sheep across borders in 2026. Authorities are preparing a technical dossier for regionalization to present to the European Commission, emphasizing the importance of keeping export channels open.

In the first ten months of last year, Romania exported live sheep worth €210 million, showcasing its significance in the European market. Currently, Romania ranks first in the European Union for live animal exports, and it has seen a steady growth in sheep populations, surpassing 10 million head.

Despite a recent outbreak in Mureș County, which has been effectively isolated, the Romanian National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) is determined to prevent a general export embargo. Alexandru Bociu, the president of ANSVSA, has highlighted the need to act quickly and cohesively to reverse any export restrictions, stressing that such limitations would undermine Romania's potential.

The forecast for sheep exports is optimistic, with an expected minimum increase of 40%, according to ANSVSA. New markets have been opened outside of Europe, including significant contracts with Algeria for the export of 1 million sheep, with transport costs fully covered by international partners. Active markets now include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, China, Azerbaijan, and Albania, reflecting the expanding global demand for Romanian sheep.

To further enhance the safety of sheep exports, specialists are considering the introduction of strategic vaccination against sheep and goat pox. This vaccination will be included in the European negotiation dossier as an additional immunity barrier, reinforcing Romania's commitment to maintaining high biosecurity standards in its livestock industry. Bociu has warned that non-compliance with biosecurity regulations by illegal operators could jeopardize Romania's case in Brussels.