Hungary's Dominance in Romania's Dairy Import Market Analyzed
Romania, one of the European Union's largest dairy producers, remains heavily reliant on imports, particularly from Hungary. According to a recent report from the Romanian competition authority, Hungary accounted for 67-78% of Romanian dairy imports between 2014 and 2025. This makes Hungary the most significant external supplier to the Romanian dairy market.
In 2025, Romania produced approximately 4.4 million metric tons of raw milk, yet only about one-third of this production reached industrial processing. Romania ranks tenth in the EU for raw milk production, but only 17th for the volume collected by processors. The discrepancy is attributed to the fact that three-quarters of Romanian dairy farms have fewer than five milking cows, limiting mechanization and infrastructure development.
The average milk yield per cow in Romania is 3,580 kilograms, compared to the EU average of 8,450 kilograms. This structural weakness creates opportunities for Hungarian suppliers, who benefit from geographical proximity, advanced processing infrastructure, and barrier-free EU trade.
Romanian processors and retailers demand consistent supplies and quality, particularly in fresh milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, and cream markets. The Romanian dairy processing industry focuses mainly on lower-value products, with annual production at 387,000 metric tons for consumer milk and 231,000 metric tons for yogurt and fermented products. These categories account for over 70% of Romanian processing, while higher-value cheeses and creams are less prevalent.
Imports of raw milk to Romania increased by nearly 40% in 2024, while domestic collection fell to approximately 1.1 million metric tons in 2025. Romanian dairy imports approached 1 billion euros in 2025, contributing to a foreign trade deficit of roughly 700 million euros. The Romanian competition authority suggests that imports are a result of domestic industry challenges, such as fragmented small farms and low productivity. They recommend strengthening producer cooperation and establishing stable supplier relationships.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian dairy sector faces its own challenges, with raw milk prices dropping nearly 30% since December 2025, causing sustained losses for producers. The Dairy Product Council calls for urgent government intervention, as the export price of raw milk has fallen below 100 forints per kilogram.
