KeysFin data show that cereal production has doubled over the past seven years, from RON8.34 billion in 2009 to RON16.1 billion in 2015.
Currently, over 7,000 companies with over 40,000 employees work in the Romanian agricultural sector, on the cereal growing segment. The number of companies has increased by almost 30% compared to 2009, and the bulk of firms are located in Timis, Constanta, Teleorman, Ialomita, Calarasi, Braila, Arad, Tulcea and Dolj. More than 300 cereal growing companies were registered in Bucharest.
In 2016, the main player on the grain producers market was Calarasi-based company Agro-Chirnogi, controlled by a group of Lebanese businesspeople. The company has more than 600 employees and registered a turnover of RON960.1 million in 2016, almost double against 2015, and its net profit reached RON12 million, according to Finance Ministry data.
Braila-based Agricost ranks second, with more than 900 employees and a turnover of RON387.2 million in 2016, higher by over RON21 million compared with the previous year, and a net profit of RON71 million.
Teleorman-based Interagro had the most interesting evolution, as it registered a turnover of RON374.5 million in 2015, but entered insolvency in 2016, with its turnover dropping sharply to RON21.5 million.