Fruit production in Romania takes place in many parts of the country, but is mainly focussed on the higher parts: the southern slopes of the Carpathians which snake through the country. The conditions, which are very different to those in Holland, lead to trees which are up to twice as big as those in the Netherlands.
Romania has long been an important fruit producer in Europe, thanks to the (micro) climate and the soil conditions. During the communist period collectivisation meant that a large scale fruit production was started, which was relatively successful and resulted in a sizeable export. The orchards were just as sizeable and research and development were also given a lot of attention in that period. At the height of it, 1975, Romania had 425,000 hectares of orchards, of which 360,000 hectares were production orchards.
After the fall of the Ceauşescu regime in 1989 the lots were given back to original owners. This lead to fragmentation and neglect: replanting and modernisation didn't take place for years. In 1990 the area declined rapidly. There was only 260,000 hectares and 80% of the companies were owned by small producers with an average area between 0.5 and 2 hectares. In the period 2002-2012 the area declined by 65,000 hectares. In 2012 the area of fruit orchards was estimated to be slightly over 140,000 hectares. 40% of this has trees older than 25 years. These orchards have low productivity.
POP
POP
The Romanian government has set aside a budget of € 200 million as part of the countryside development programme POP 2014-2020 for the modernisation of the fruit cultivation. This programme should lead to the plantation of around 16,000 hectares. Besides funds for new plantation and new production techniques money has also been made available for chain development. POP 2014-2020's predecessor, called POP 2007-2014 created a separate programme to revitalise the wine cultivation in Romania. This programme was successful and serves as an example for the fruit cultivation plan. The available budget was € 190 million. The plantation of 19,000 hectares of vineyards was subsidised from this. The starting material originated primarily from France and Italy. Only a small share was locally produced.
Unfortunately, this, aside from the quality, did not always fit with the climate and variety. Using less 'suitable' planting material meant that locally produced planting material gained an advantage. What was striking in the wine cultivation programme was the role of the research institutes.
The example set with the wine production encourages experts and entrepreneurs to ask the Romanian government to pay special attention to the fruit cultivation sector over the next while. This idea has been around for a while, as the Romanian EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Ciolos, has spoken about a comparable approach positively a number of times. As far as we know at the moment, the previously mentioned amount of € 200 million would be made available for the period concerned. This should enable 16,000 hectares to be planted and rehabilitated. The planting of apple and plum trees is to receive the most attention. The available subsidy is not only intended for new trees, but also for irrigation, shade nets, hail nets and so forth.
The new POP would also mean space to further develop the fruit chain and invest in things such as sorting and packaging. The first calculations indicate that 7 million trees will be needed annually over the course of the programme, so almost 50 million trees in total. It looks like it may be some time before the programme is operational and then the production of planting material will still have to start. This means that there are effectively only around five years available for implementation. This results in the required 10 million trees per year, of which 2 million could be produced locally.
Opportunities and threats for the Netherlands
The Netherlands is an important supplier of fruit cultivation starting material in Europe. In Romania the Netherlands is now in the second and third place respectively in value and amount (after Italy) and our country can count on a good reputation. Italy is relatively active on the market and already organised a seminar, together with the agricultural university of Bucharest, to strengthen its position. A Dutch business started a nursery with a young Romanian where virus free material is produced. This is the only virus free producer in the country so far. Another Dutch company has advanced plans to start a nursery.
Unfortunately, this, aside from the quality, did not always fit with the climate and variety. Using less 'suitable' planting material meant that locally produced planting material gained an advantage. What was striking in the wine cultivation programme was the role of the research institutes.
The example set with the wine production encourages experts and entrepreneurs to ask the Romanian government to pay special attention to the fruit cultivation sector over the next while. This idea has been around for a while, as the Romanian EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Ciolos, has spoken about a comparable approach positively a number of times. As far as we know at the moment, the previously mentioned amount of € 200 million would be made available for the period concerned. This should enable 16,000 hectares to be planted and rehabilitated. The planting of apple and plum trees is to receive the most attention. The available subsidy is not only intended for new trees, but also for irrigation, shade nets, hail nets and so forth.
The new POP would also mean space to further develop the fruit chain and invest in things such as sorting and packaging. The first calculations indicate that 7 million trees will be needed annually over the course of the programme, so almost 50 million trees in total. It looks like it may be some time before the programme is operational and then the production of planting material will still have to start. This means that there are effectively only around five years available for implementation. This results in the required 10 million trees per year, of which 2 million could be produced locally.
Opportunities and threats for the Netherlands
The Netherlands is an important supplier of fruit cultivation starting material in Europe. In Romania the Netherlands is now in the second and third place respectively in value and amount (after Italy) and our country can count on a good reputation. Italy is relatively active on the market and already organised a seminar, together with the agricultural university of Bucharest, to strengthen its position. A Dutch business started a nursery with a young Romanian where virus free material is produced. This is the only virus free producer in the country so far. Another Dutch company has advanced plans to start a nursery.
These are important initiatives, as to make the programme a success, locally produced planting material deserves - as far as possible - preferential treatment. Reality will show that local production will never be enough and import is unavoidable. Local production produces cheaper and better suited planting material. And if the Netherlands is able to build up a position in this segment, it is a very good starting point for export from the Netherlands. Imported base material ( rootstocks and loops) is needed for local production. The Netherlands only produces 8 million trees per year, so local production is also needed from that point of view.
Technical equipment
A modern (super) intensive cultivation doesn't only need good planting material, but also requires irrigation, hail nets, mechanisation etc. The stimulation programme also provides support for these investment. The total subsidy could amount to 90% for the relevant investment in the best case scenario ( think deprived area, young / small farmer).
Technical equipment
A modern (super) intensive cultivation doesn't only need good planting material, but also requires irrigation, hail nets, mechanisation etc. The stimulation programme also provides support for these investment. The total subsidy could amount to 90% for the relevant investment in the best case scenario ( think deprived area, young / small farmer).
Chain development
The strengthening of the chain is not a part of the fruit programme, but is supported from the general part. There has already been some development in recent years (mainly cooling houses), but it needs more attention. Founding and strengthening producers organisations could play an important role in this. The DPA from the Netherlands has shown interest in helping Romania. Supplying sorting, packaging, cooling etc has interesting prospects for the Netherlands, but the (Italian) competition is close behind in this area.
Source: Berichten Buitenland
Source: Berichten Buitenland
