Who generates the largest food imports in Romania. The surprises of 2025

March 25, 2026
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Who generates the largest food imports in Romania. The surprises of 2025

Lidl, Kaufland and Metro Cash&Carry continue to dominate the ranking of the ten largest importers of agri-food products in Romania, alongside major producers in the confectionery industry such as Ferrero and players in the tobacco industry. Compared to previous years, Profi has dropped out of the top.
Of the ten largest importers of agri-food products, based on the value of imports in 2025, four are large chain stores, according to a ranking compiled by the National Institute of Statistics, at the request of Economica. These are Lidl, Kaufland, Metro Cash & Carry and Rewe (Penny), chains originating in Germany and with a significant share of private labels on the shelf.

In the past years, Profi was also among the major importers. Owned in 2024 by the Mid Europa investment fund and currently by Ahold Delhaize, the owner of Mega Image, Profi has the most extensive network of stores in terms of geography and approximately 1,700 units, including in rural areas. The chain was in 2024 in seventh place among importers, a position now occupied by Havi Logistics SRL, one of the largest transport and logistics companies locally and one of the largest operators in the world for brands in the quick service restaurant and convenience food industry.

Profi was replaced, in eighth place, by the American oil producer Bunge, the leader of the edible oil market in Romania, which has brands such as Unisol, Floriol and Unirea in its portfolio. The producer has two factories in Romania, in Lehliu-Gara and Buzau, where it produces biodiesel and edible oil.

Another food giant with local production units and ranked 5th in the ranking of the largest importers in 2025 is Mondelez Romania. The snack producer, which has brands such as Milka, TUC, Oreo and Chipita in its portfolio, operates a production unit in Clinceni, from where it exports to approximately 28 countries in the region.

Ferrero, an Italian group known for brands such as Nutella and Kinder, reported a turnover of over 1.5 billion lei in 2024.

Nestle, the tenth largest importer, also operated without local production until last year, bringing brands such as KitKat, Nescafe, Maggi and Purina to Romania. Last year, the company bought Food Union, which also owns Alpin, the Romanian ice cream producer and distributor. The transaction was indirect, however, through Froneri, a company established in 2016 as a joint venture between Nestle and PAI Partners.

Last but not least, another new entrant is cigarette manufacturer British American Tobacco (BAT), which replaced another manufacturer in this industry, JTI.

Top of the largest importers of agri-food products in 2025

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