Powdered milk is an essential product for the food industry, used both in dairy processing and in the confectionery and bakery industries. In Romania, domestic production of powdered milk remains modest, with imports covering over 70% of market demand, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

European regulations, including Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 and EFSA directives, set strict standards for the quality and safety of powdered milk. Eurostat shows that Poland and Germany dominate production in the EU, exporting massively to Central and Eastern European countries. For Romanian processors, the main challenges lie in the high costs of drying technologies and the need to strictly comply with microbiological parameters. “Powdered milk remains a strategic solution for the industry, but investments in modern facilities are inevitable,” stated an IDF expert.

FAO reports that global demand for powdered milk increased by 9% in 2024, particularly from Asian countries. Romania can seize this opportunity through investments in production capacity, supported by European funds, thereby reducing its dependence on imports. In the long term, strengthening the powdered milk industry is vital for food security and for the competitiveness of Romanian processors on the European market.

(Photo: Freepik)