Romania strengthens its position as a key player in the European agricultural market

Romania is making significant strides in the European agricultural market, contributing 3.3% to the country’s GDP. As one of the largest producers of corn, wheat, barley, sunflower, rapeseed, and soybeans in the EU, Romania ensures approximately 10% of the total production of cereals and oilseeds in the region.

The country has seen a remarkable increase in agricultural production over the last two decades, particularly in cereals and oilseed crops. In 2025, the total cereal harvest reached 24.5 million tons, a 37% increase, while the oilseed harvest surged by 61% to 4.8 million tons. Wheat has emerged as Romania's leading crop, with the harvest hitting 12.7 million tons in 2025, up from 9.3 million tons the previous year.

Despite the reduction of about a quarter in the number of agricultural holdings over the last two decades, Romania remains resilient. Approximately 12% of the active population still works in agriculture, with around 90% of farms being smaller than 5 hectares. However, less than 1% of farms control over half of the country's agricultural land.

The expansion of cultivated areas is notable, with the land planted with cereals increasing by 0.7% to 5.1 million hectares and oilseed crop areas rising by 11% to 2.1 million hectares by 2025. Furthermore, Romania leads the EU in wheat, barley, and corn exports, with over 33 million tons of cereals exported in the 2024/2025 marketing season.

The Port of Constanța has become a crucial regional hub for grain exports, especially following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Investments are being made to enhance storage capacities and build new silos at the port, further solidifying its strategic importance.

In addition to this growth, Romania's oilseed industry is rapidly developing. In 2025, rapeseed production surpassed sunflower production for the first time, reaching 2.5 million tons. Romania is also among the top three soybean producers in the EU, with a significant portion of the soybean output exported to Germany and Austria.

A recent five-year cooperation agreement with China aims to bolster Romania's position as a supplier of high-value agro-food products. This partnership focuses on food security, investment, agricultural product processing, and technology transfer, showcasing Romania's commitment to enhancing its agricultural sector.