Recent crises – the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy instability – have redefined the notion of resilience in the food industry. Romania has been forced to adapt quickly, balancing production challenges with the pressure of rising costs.

According to Eurostat, food production costs increased by 30% between 2021 and 2024, the highest growth in the region. At the same time, FAO notes that countries which invested in digitalization, energy autonomy, and diversified supply sources managed to maintain price stability.

For Romania, the adaptation process is still ongoing. INS data shows an 8% increase in agri-food exports in 2024, mainly due to investments in local processing. However, dependence on imports remains high – over 60% of processed products come from other EU states.

“We need a clear strategy to strengthen Romania’s food industry. Without local processing and modern storage centers, we cannot speak about food security,” stated Florin Barbu, Minister of Agriculture, in an interview for Agro TV.

The World Bank highlights that resilience is achieved not only through investments but also through cooperation between the state, processors, and the research sector. In Poland, public–private partnerships in processing increased added value by 22% in five years. Romania is attempting a similar model through the 2023–2027 CAP Strategic Plan, which supports digitalization and short supply chains.

According to EFSA, food losses in Romania exceed 14% of total production – double the European average. Reducing these losses, together with investments in logistics and processing technologies, are essential steps toward boosting competitiveness.

Resilience is not a theoretical concept but a test for the entire industry. Romania can turn vulnerability into competitive advantage if it continues investing in digitalization, vocational education, and genuine cooperation among all actors in the agri-food chain.

(Photo: Freepik)