Romanian cold meats producer CarmOlimp expects pork meat exports in the EU to account for 9 percent of its 2012 turnover, after the European Commission lifted the ban on Romanian pork exports to the EU market from January 1, 2012. The local company is aiming for a total EUR 29 million turnover in 2012, which would be up 20 percent compared to 2011.

“After a seven year ban on pork meat exports, the European Commission has decided to resume Romanian producers’ sales in the EU starting January 1, 2011. Following this decision, which will greatly help the meat industry in Romania, we expect to start pork exports to EU countries in the first half of next year," said Valentin Soneriu, General Manager of CarmOlimp.

The supply of meat and processed pork products from Romanian companies to the EU market has been banned since 2003 due to the swine flu, and in 2007 the European Commission decided to extend the block on the Romanian pork producers.

CarmOlimp's main competitors on the Romanian market include CrisTim, Angst and Aldis Calarasi.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)