Annals of the University of Petroani, Economics, 10(3), 2010, 265-272 265

STUDY ON ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTS IN ROMANIA

CECILIA IRINA RBONU,
AMALIA VENERA TODORU
*


ABSTRACT: Romania's potential to produce organic food is rising to the potential of
Germany (the second biggest producer in Europe). Nevertheless, it remains untapped because
of the too low demand from the population. So producers feel compelled to export raw
materials from Western countries for processing and on the shelves of stores in Romania,
products arrive at oversized prices. We wish that through this work to identify as accurately as
possible the level of the supply and demand of organic food products in order to make
proposals to improve the current situation, but in particular to improve the quality of life of the
population of Romania, through its guidance to a healthier lifestyle.


KEY WORDS: organic food; the quality of the food industry; promoting the concept
of organic farming


JEL CLASSIFICATION: I12, L66, M31



1. INTRODUCTION

Whatever their nature, plant, animal or mixed, the food is essential for humans,
since it provides energy and basic nutrients necessary to the good development of
metabolic processes, growth and development of the individual. Today it manifests on
the domestic and international market a phenomenon of extreme diversification of the
categories of food packed more complex and colorful so that they attract more
consumers. However we must say that food have a complex composition, sometimes
indiscernible by consumers and that associated with improper diet, low in nutrients
required for the body, as well as combining "dangerous" food, leads to increased risk
of disease through ingested food amid stressful factors to which man is subjected
daily. All this brings into focus the need to revise the conception of human nutrition

*
Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Romania,
cecilia.rabontu@gmail.com
Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Romania,
amalia_venera@yahoo.com





266 Rbonu, C.I.; Todoru, A.V.

and its emphasizing character as preventive health factor, but also the great importance
of food safety in the context of food production and of an extremely dynamic and
complex trade. Increasingly the emphasis is put on the nutritional value of sold
products and it increases the responsibility of those who produce and market food as it
regards their innocuity status.

2. GENERAL ASPECTS REGARDING THE QUALITY OF AGRIFOOD
PRODUCTS

In the current market economy, characterized by a range of goods, including
food, very complex, there is intense competition among producers and traders with
regard to meeting the highest level of consumer requirements, which are constantly
changing, but without which the achievement of economic efficiency and, ultimately,
profit is unlikely. Therefore, on a this large competitive market, consumers not only
follow the general and particular characteristics of the existing product mix, but also
the possibilities they have in relation to choice of quality food and goods that are safe
for consumption. In other words, they are concerned in an increasing measure of the
problems of quality assurance and the insurance of the safety of their purchased goods
and the responsibilities of those operators that are guilty of producing and marketing
products that may harm their health or their immediate and long term economic
interests (Micu & Petanec, 2008).
It should be recognized that economic agents do not always respect the code of
ethics and do not call at all times to the most honest practices, issues that call for
intervention of state bodies - through various regulations (laws, rules, standards, etc.).
In terms of imposing specific requirements throughout the feed chain to give
consumers confidence that the goods they purchase will not affect the safety, health
and their legitimate interests. International and Romanian law on food industry
provides for all units involved in the whole food chain from primary producers to the
sale of food (production, transport, storage and food trade), the principles of a food
safety management system based on risk assessment and prevention, so of a HACCP
(Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system. The quality of the food industry
is not only about the finished product but also means the hygiene of the processes (not
limited to the technological flow). In this context, the quality is and will always be an
important competitive factor, if not most important. HACCP principles are a means to
guide the organization to comply with all rules related to the deliverance of quality
products and the continual improvement of performancem (Micu & Petanec, 2008).

3. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS ON THE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC
FOOD

Any operator of organic food products, as required by law, must record the
activity at ANPE (National Authority of Organic Products) and be subject to inspection
and control of an accredited certification body. On the products that have been subject
to inspection and certification may appear the words "Organic farming ECOROM - RO
control system. Also, to get organic / certified organic products on the European





Study on Organic Food Products in Romania 267

market, Romanian farmers must comply with the principles contained in Council
Regulation 2092/1991/CEE (http://www.fermierul.ro/). To export, however, is needed
that the products obtained in Romania must be recognized on the European market.
Recognition requires the receiving by farmers of the organic certificate for their
products that such products can be sold on the domestic market and exported without
any problem as organic.
Environmental Compliance Certificate is granted by the specialized bodies
after a rigorous monitoring conducted during production processes. In Romania there
are three Romanian certification bodies and nine foreign certification bodies for
organic food products. According to Government Emergency Ordinance 34/2000 on
organic food producer is called the operator of any natural or legal person who
produces, prepares, imports, exports and / or sells organic food products. To join the
list of certified operators must follow certain steps. Registration of organic producers is
required each year and is made by filling in the registration forms in organic farming
available at the Departments of Agriculture and District Rural Development, in which
perimeter the producer operates. MAPDR approved sheet records are returned to the
manufacturer and to the DADR and may be eligible documentation for the support of
organic farming and the request of the logo "ae". Each year the Ministry of Agriculture
develops the ecological agriculture operators list that is available to those interested.

4. THE PRICES OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

Regarding the prices of organic products there can be specified the following:
in most cases, prices of organic products are higher than prices of the products
obtained by classical, industrial methods. Even in these conditions, the products have a
guaranteed market because there are groups of consumers willing to pay higher prices;
in some cases, the widespread use of products or products produced by farmers in their
farms, contribute to the formation of advantageous prices for buyers; even if at first
sight an organic products price is higher than a similar regular product, that expense
can be addressed as an investment in human health and the environment. In table 1 we
present a comparison between prices of organic products and nonorganics for a better
picture of the above statements. Can be seen from the above data that organic products
have higher prices compared with non bio, this primarily being due to the productivity
of obtaining such products much lower than in the other case and given the rarity of
these products that enable manufacturers maintain high prices.

5. PACKAGING AND LABELING OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

Packaging is particularly important in the distribution of organic products. In
the speciality literature, and not only, was commonly spoken lately about so-called
eco-size of the package. Among the many reasons behind such an approach we could
only remember that packaging pollutes the environment (and only addressing the issue
in quantitative terms). European labelling requirements from organic farming products
are very precise. On the label affixed to the organic products the following entries
specific to the farming system are required: the reference to organic production, logo,





268 Rbonu, C.I.; Todoru, A.V.

name and the code of the inspection and certification body which carried out the
inspection and issued the organic product and since 2006, the abbreviation "ae"
(www.immromania.ro/noutati/noutate.php?id).

Table 1. Comparison between bio and non bio product prices
-lei-
Product Bio Non-bio
Bread 3 1,8
10 eggs 12 5-7
Milk 3.5% 7-8 4
600g cheese 20 10
Oil 1l 35 6
Flour 10 2
500g sugar 14 3,5
Miere poliflor Honey polyfloral 35 8
Organic Feta Cheese 200g 21,5 5
Organic salami 200g 31 5-9
Canned green 10-40 2,5-110
Organic cocoa 24 8
Palm sugar 1 kg 40 - -
A pack of organic biscuits 14 2,5-4
Organic corn 12 5
Organic ground coffee 200g 39 11
Source: www.capital.ro and own observations

The abbreviation "ae" ensures that the product, as labelled, comes from organic
farming and is certified by a certified control body, allowing consumers an easy
identification of these products on the market. The rules for using the logo "ae" are
contained in Annex 1 to the Joint Order amending and supplementing the Annex to the
Order of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development no. 317/2006
and of the president of the National Authority for Consumer Protection nr.190/2006 for
approving the specific labelling rules of organic products (www.apdrp.ro). The right to
use the logo "ae" on products, labels and packaging of organic products will have the
producers, processors and importers registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and
which are holding a contract with an inspection and certification body approved by the
Ministry of Agriculture and in order to obtain the right to use the logo "EA", the
certification and "ae" communication, applicants will complete the application requests
(www.immromania.ro/noutati/noutate.php?id). Since 1992 when we started Eco-label,
the number of companies that have requested and received labelling increased each
year. Early in 2009, more than 750 companies had an eco-label for their products and
services and at the end of this year were recorded 839 operators. The largest increase is
observed from 2007-2008 (http://www.chimiamediului.ro/2010/01/10/ecolabel/).
Organic products must be transported in packages preventing any possible
substitution of contents. These packages usually contain indications of name and
address of the manufacturer or processor, the product name and instructions on how
organic production took place. The marketing of organic products from import will be
subject to very strict rules and controls. The examinations to be made concern mainly
on the production requirements and provisions on surveillance. Imported consignments





Study on Organic Food Products in Romania 269

will be accompanied by a certificate of inspection issued by the regulatory body of the
country of origin, the certificate will guarantee compliance with all environmental
standards. The transport of organic products will be imported from a closed package,
containing particulars of the importer and the particulars of the product under the
inspection certificate accompanying the consignment (Stoian, 2005).

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Figure. 1 Evolution of environmental licenses in Romania during 1992-2009

6. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON AND ECOLOGICAL FOOD PRODUCTS
SITUATION IN ROMANIA

From the statistical point of view we can say according to data from the
Ministry of Agriculture that Romanian exports of agricultural products increased after
the first nine months of 2009 with 11.6% to1.64 billion euro, from 1.47 billion in same
period in 2008, while imports decreased by 8.3%, from three billion to 2.75 billion
euro (www.apdrp.ro). Thus, according to data of Ministry of Agriculture, during
January-September 2009, Romania exported agricultural products worth about 1.25
billion euro in EU countries, compared to 998.4 million in same period of 2008.
Regarding exports outside EU, they stood after the first nine months of the year 2009
to 393.3 million euros, compared to 470.7 million euro in the corresponding period a
year earlier. Also, according to MARD, the first nine months of last year, Romania
imported food products from EU countries worth about 2.22 billion euro, compared to
2.37 billion euro in same period of 2008. As regarding the imports from outside the
European Union, during January-September 2009, Romania imported agricultural
products worth 535 million euro, compared to 632 million euro in the corresponding
period of 2008 (www.apdrp.ro).





270 Rbonu, C.I.; Todoru, A.V.

The European Union is the main partner of Romania in agricultural trade, as in
the first nine months of 2009, shipments of agricultural products to the EU had a share
value of 76% and purchases of EU Member States have held a share of 80%. The total
food exports in the first nine months of 2009 was 1.64 billion euro.

1,47
1,64
1,25
0,998
0,47
0,393
0
0,5
1
1,5
2
2008 2009
exports of agricultural
products
intra-EU exports
extra-EU exports


Figure 2. The evolution of Romania's exports of agricultural products
in 2008 and 2009 (billion Euros)

2,22
2,37
0,632
0,535
0
0,5
1
1,5
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2,5
2008 2009
intra-EU imports
extra-EU imports


Figure 3. The evolution of Romania's imports of agricultural products
in 2008 and 2009 (billion Euros)

According to data presented, increasing organic market in Romania is a
constant, given that last year there were 86 registered processors of organic products,
almost double that of 2007 when it was recorded a total of 48. Of the total reported, 60
were processing plant, 9 animal production and 17 in beekeeping (www.capital.ro).
Romanian market value of organic food products was in 2008, 20 million euro, and if
we think that the number of processors has doubled from 48 in 2007 to 86, in 2008, we
can say that we are dealing with steady growth of this field in Romania.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Romania has at present, an area of
14.8 million ha of farmland. Registered operators in the organic sector, have their
number estimated in 2009 to 4194, increased by 1.9% compared to 2007. Moreover,
official data shows that most operators were in the year 2007, in livestock production,
namely 2986. And in beekeeping there were a considerable number of operators, ie
467. Nationally, Suceava county has the most numerous operators of organic food





Study on Organic Food Products in Romania 271

producers (over 700), followed by Mures (between 200 and 700) and in third ranks
Bacau, Tulcea and Ialomita (between 100 and 199). There are 12 counties in which are
recorded a number of fewer than 20 operators, and this means that we are dealing with
small businesses, even at the family level. As for exports of organic food products we
can say that they stood in 2008 to 100 million euros, equivalent to around 130,000
tones, of which only 1% was processed products and 0.94% honey. An overview of the
situation of organic agriculture in Romania is shown below.

Table 3. Evolution of organic production in Romania

Specification UM MU 2006 2007 2008
Total quantity plant To 131898 166573 169312
Cereal To 55000 48441 65127
Oil and protein To 45600 73082 52982
Vegetables To 7200 8707 3410
Fruits To 1000 340 1255
Spontaneous flora collection To 16 748 24 962 35 236
Other crops To 6350 11 041 11 302
Livestock production
Cow's milk To 100 000 122 000 85 031
Ewes To 13 500 15 500 13 273
Eggs Thousand pieces 1820 1075 1321
The main processed products
Sheep cheese To 480 520 510
Swiss To 268 576 580
Pressed cheese To 330 642 640
Canned vegetables and fruits To 50 42 40
Honey To 610 1242 1950

Table 4. Evolution of organic farming in Romania

Indicator 2006 2007 2008
Surfaces grown by organic production method 143 194 190 129 221 411
Certified organic surfaces 78 083 143 179 152 881
Conversion plots 65111 46949 68530
Share of organic production in the total agricultural area 1% 1,4% 1,6%
Source: Romanian http://www.financiarul.com/articol_35166/schimburile-comerciale-cu-produse-
ecologice-is-only-062-of-market-profile full-of-the-union-europene.html

Destinations in which were achieved the most important exports were:
Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Britain. The official drafted a profile of the
Romanian consumer of organic products, based on a survey conducted by the ministry
of resort. The profile of the Romanian consumer of organic products is represented by
qualified customers, age between 30 and 50 years, but with an income above average.
The most requested items by this are: cheese, dairy, honey or bread. One may say that
trade has a niche in the clean wholesomeness and food quality is represented by its
premium organic products, which because of the difficult economic situation,
consumers are less willing to spend money on since their prices are higher. In the EU,
meat without chemicals has double price compared with conventional meat. In the EU,
meat without chemicals is double the price of conventional meat. Because of this





272 Rbonu, C.I.; Todoru, A.V.

difference, people either do not eat meat or choose the conventional version, but also
the dairy and organic vegetables tend to have prices 20% -30% higher than their
conventional counterparts (www.capital.ro). Even if quality products are guaranteed
safe by their organic composition itself, a defining imprint on the development of trade
in such products, and not only, has the purchasing power of end users.

7. CONCLUSIONS

Organic products market is growing rapidly in most developed countries and
developing countries as well, but the latter extends at a slower pace. The still modest
share of organic products in international trade in food and drink is ample evidence of
the development potential of these products in the long term. The insurance of long-
term food security by reducing the effect of the factors that have led to the food crisis
must consider: sustained increase of food availability through increased production and
quality from small farmers, extending coverage and effectiveness of social protection
systems, improving food risk management, improving access to international markets
for food, obtaining a broader international consensus on biofuels policies and practices
to avoid damage that threatens global food security. In these circumstances, issues
related to ensuring the safety throughout the food supplies food chain, acquires a
special importance. Romania is a country with huge potential in this sector, but
consumption of organic products is at an extremely low due to lack of information on
the benefits of consuming green products, but also because prices much higher than
those of conventional products.

REFERENCES:

[1]. Manole, V. et al. (2003) Agromarketing, Edition II, Editura ASE, Bucharest
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[3]. Popescu, D.V. (2005) Rolul i locul comerului cu bunuri alimentare n contextul
globalizrii, Amfiteatru economic, 7, pp.57-64
[4]. Stoian, M. (2005) Evoluia pieelor agroalimentare n contextul globalizrii, Amfiteatru
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