Romania exported food products of almost EUR 1.17 billion in the first quarter of 2014, up 38.4 percent year-on-year, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MADR, cited by local Agerpres. The imports increased by only 0.6 percent, to EUR 1.16 billion.

In the first three months of 2014, the trade balance with food products registered a surplus of EUR 9.4 million, compared to a deficit of EUR 308.9 million registered in the same period of 2013.

Compared to the first quarter of 2013, the value of exports increased for most food products this year. For example, the value of corn exports increased by EUR 137.7 million, wheat - plus EUR 54.4 million, cigarettes - up by EUR 25.5 million and sunflower seeds - up by EUR 24.4 million.

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