Romania's retail shelves now feature more than 85 percent local products, according to Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu, who is urging consumers to choose goods processed within the country. He noted that despite an increase in imported vegetables during the colder months, domestic production is strengthening thanks to significant investments in greenhouses and solariums funded through European programs.
Barbu explained that Romania is gradually reducing its reliance on winter imports, and he expects further improvement next year as new heating and modernization projects take effect. He highlighted 2025 as a record year for support to protected-area vegetable farming, with over 271 million lei allocated. Funding reforms now support a wider range of vegetables—not only tomatoes—and reward farms with larger cultivated areas.
Under the updated scheme, farmers receive €1,500 per 1,000 square meters, meaning a 5,000-square-meter farm earns €7,500 in aid compared to €3,000 last year. Barbu said the expansion of cultivated areas—from 1,700 to 3,600 hectares—has already translated into higher output, all documented through strict production verification.
Source: agerpres.ro
