At least 51% of the products sold by large retailers must be made in Romania, according to a new law recently signed by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

The Chamber of Deputies passed the law in early June this year. Retailers who don’t respect the new rules risk fines between RON 100,000 (EUR 22,000) and RON 150,000 (EUR 33,00).

The new law has already raised controversies in Romania, and its adoption has been postponed several times.

Competition Council’s general director Daniela Badila said in early June that the Council doesn’t oppose this law, but doubts that such a measure can be implemented because there aren’t enough local suppliers.

Local retailers have been opposing this project. They’ve claimed the new rules would determine some international retailers to close stores, which would lead to layoffs in the sector and ultimately to higher food prices.

Romanian MPs keep law that obliges retailers to sell more local food unchanged

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