In Europe, the country is ranked fifth, after Belgium, Poland, France and the Netherlands. Romania is the world’s ninth largest horsemeat exporter.
Exports of horsemeat, mule and donkey meat amounted to EUR411 million worldwide in 2011.
The world’s largest horsemeat suppliers are Belgium (EUR70.93 million), Argentina (EUR62.8 million), Canada (EUR59.9 million), Mexico (EUR35.13 million), Poland (EUR34.01 million), France (EUR24.49 million), the Netherlands (EUR22.84 million), Uruguay (EUR21.72 million), Romania (EUR13.07 million) and Spain (EUR11.23 million), according to ITC data, computed based on UN statistics.
The biggest horsemeat importers are Italy (EUR88.62 million), Belgium (EUR76.39 million), France (EUR69.45 million), Russia (EUR55.66 million), Switzerland (EUR38.27 million), Japan (EUR18.86 million), the Netherlands (EUR18.72 million), Kazakhstan (EUR7 million), Finland (EUR4.65 million) and Bulgaria (EUR4.05 million).
In 2010, Romania exported horsemeat worth EUR10.8 million. In the first eleven months of 2012, the country exported horsemeat, mule and donkey meat worth a total of EUR12.3 million, according to INS data.
Romania’s horsemeat exports to Bulgaria amounted to EUR3.1 million last year, while exports to Belgium hit EUR4.5 million, to Italy some EUR2 million and to Poland EUR1.6 million. Romania also supplied horsemeat to the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Germany and the Czech Republic in 2012.
According to ITC data, the UK did not import horsemeat, mule meat or donkey meat from Romania in 2010 and 2011.
In January-November 2012, Romania exported 5,660.45 tons of horsemeat, mule meat or donkey meat, INS data show. Bulgaria imported 1,890.2 tons, Belgium bought 1,238.3 tons, Italy imported 1.034,7 tons, Poland – 969.8 tons and the Netherlands – 409.4 tons.
According to ITC data, In 2011, Romania exported 6,150 tones of horsemeat, mule meat or donkey meat at an average price of EUR2,126/ton.
Romania’s horsemeat imports are insignificant, according to ITC. In 2011, the country imported horsemeat worth EUR6,460 from Italy (EUR5,030) and Hungary (EUR1,440).
Romania’s name is mentioned in a scandal that sparked in the UK, where horsemeat, instead of beef, was found in ready meals, including lasagna and spaghetti bolognese, which were supplied by French company Comigel. The latter’s meat supplier was French company Spanghero, which said it imported the meat from Romania. An investigation is underway.