Romania: Preliminary Assessment of COVID 19 on Romanian Food and Agriculture

This report provides an overview of the impact to date of COVID-19 on the Romanian agriculture, retail sector, distribution channels, wholesale prices and government support programs provided to cope with the COVID-19. On March 31, 2020, Romania reached 2,000 cases, and which more than doubled one week later (almost 4,500 cases as of April 8). Upwards of 190,000 workers have lost their jobs and another 950,000 employees are furloughed. Hotels and restaurants potentially face 80 percent revenue losses. Food stockpiling has driven up prices for some products. The Ministry of Labor seeks to provide unemployed benefits to workers at 75 percent of their gross annual salaries. Although some transportation and logistics irritants remain, most Romanian food companies are running at capacity to produce and are able to distribute food to consumers.

Romania: Preliminary Assessment of COVID 19 on Romanian Food and Agriculture