Higher energy costs boost prices but sunflower oil benefited from price regulations
Value sales of cooking ingredients and meals in Romania continued to grow in 2025, although the market remained shaped by the high cost of living and rising inflation, which continued to pressure household budgets. The full liberalisation of energy prices contributed to a sharp increase in inflation, which influenced both production and retail prices across the category. Despite these pressures, cooking ingredients and meals remained a basic and indispensable part of Romanian consumers’ daily diets, ensuring continued demand even in a challenging economic climate. The category’s overall performance was strongly influenced by edible oils – particularly sunflower oil – which dominates both in volume and value. Price interventions and government support programmes, such as subsidies for essential food products and aid for vulnerable households, helped stabilise consumption and sustain sales.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Cooking Ingredients and Meals industry in Romania with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Cooking Ingredients and Meals industry in Romania, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Romania report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Romania?
- Which are the leading brands in Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Romania?
- How are products distributed in Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Romania?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Cooking Ingredients and Meals?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Romania?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Romania
Higher energy costs boost prices but sunflower oil benefited from price regulations
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Edible oils drive overall market performance
Traditional products remain essential in the household basket
Growth to continue amid lingering inflationary pressures
Cautious consumer behaviour and local production to shape the outlook
Modern grocery retailing to consolidate its position
Private label leads thanks to strong presence in edible oils
Small players inject dynamism through innovation and visibility
Modern grocery retailing remains dominant amid price sensitivity
Convenience and local grocers maintain relevance for everyday shopping
E-commerce and foodservice show steady development
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Edible Oils in Romania
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Government price controls continue to shape growth
Sunflower oil continues to define the overall market
Smaller oil types gain ground among health-conscious consumers
Sunflower oil to remain the benchmark, with price a key determinant
Health, experimentation, and niche oils to drive diversification
Premiumisation and innovation to support long-term growth
Bunge Romania and Expur lead through strong local brands and innovation
Smaller and international players bring dynamism and diversity
Modern retailing consolidates leadership through pricing and accessibility
E-commerce gains traction as manufacturers adapt to digital retailing
Meals and Soups in Romania
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Busy urbanites drive growth as they seek convenience
Ready meals and prepared salads lead category performance
Frozen ready meals expand through ethnic and premium offerings
Convenience and premiumisation to drive forecast growth
Healthier eating habits to shape innovation and new formats
Private label to strengthen its role amid price sensitivity
International brands dominate soups; local players thrive in ready meals
Modern grocery retailing maintains dominance through accessibility and price
E-commerce expands as digital grocery habits strengthen
Sauces, Dips and Condiments in Romania
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Consumers explore new cuisines and product areas
Italian and Asian cuisines drive innovation and demand
Traditional staples remain essential but under pressure
Traditional sauces to remain dominant but growth to slow
Healthier and more specialised products to gain attention
Retailers and private label to lead through affordability and experience
Unilever retains leadership through strong brands and long-standing trust
Asian brands and distributors add new energy to the market
Modern grocery retailing dominates as key access point for variety and price
E-commerce gains traction through partnerships and convenience
Sweet Spreads in Romania
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales growth hindered by strong home production
Honey strengthens its position as a natural and healthy staple
Nut and seed-based spreads emerge as healthy and modern alternatives
Honey and chocolate spreads to drive continued growth
Health, premiumisation, and artisanal trends to shape innovation
Homemade and artisanal production to coexist with premium retail offerings
Global chocolate spreads maintain dominance while honey remains fragmented
Private label and small brands gain traction through affordability and innovation
Modern grocery retail dominates, supported by affordability and product variety
E-commerce continues to grow through convenience and premium access
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Cooking Ingredients and Meals
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- Olive Oil
- Corn Oil
- Palm Oil
- Rapeseed Oil
- Soy Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Other Edible Oil
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- Dried Ready Meals
- Shelf Stable Ready Meals
- Chilled Ready Meals
- Frozen Ready Meals
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- Dry Soup
- Shelf Stable Soup
- Chilled Soup
- Frozen Soup
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- Chilled Pizza
- Frozen Pizza
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- Meal Kits
- Quick Recipe Kits
- Chilled Lunch Kits
- Prepared Salads
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- Liquid Stocks and Fonds
- Stock Cubes and Powders
- Gravy Cubes, Powders and Pots
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Herbs and Spices
- Tomato Pastes and Purées
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- Liquid Recipe Sauces (excl pasta sauces)
- Dry Recipe Sauces
- Pasta Sauces
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- Barbecue Sauces
- Fish Sauces
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Oyster Sauces
- Salad Dressings
- Soy Sauces
- Chili Sauces
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- Dips
- Yeast-based Spreads
- Pickled Products
- Other Sauces and Condiments
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- Honey
- Chocolate Spreads
- Jams and Preserves
- Nut and Seed Based Spreads
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This report originates from Passport, our Cooking Ingredients and Meals research and analysis database.
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