Potato Research (2008) 51:217222

DOI 10.1007/s11540-008-9119-9

History, Statistics and Trends of the Romanian

Potato Industry
S. C. Chiru & Gh. Olteanu & L. E. Asanache

Received: 14 October 2008 / Accepted: 15 October 2008 /

Published online: 22 November 2008
# EAPR 2008

Abstract This paper provides some important data on the evolution of the potato crop
in Romania including aspects of research and development, differentiated on the basis
of period and location. The paper also presents an analysis of the causes of the low
potato yield per hectare in Romania. An analysis of the situation of the potato industry
in Romania in comparison with the potato sectors of other Central and East European
countries, over the period 19962006, reveals thatafter PolandRomania occupies
the second place in terms of potato acreage and total production. Present and future
objectives are described to solve the current problems of the potato crop in Romania
under the prevailing economic and climatic conditions.
Keywords History . Potato research . Romania . Statistical data

History
Potato has a relatively long tradition in Romanian agriculture. The first historic
references to potato production are made in Transylvania in the eighteenth century:
in 1760 the Practical Knowledge for the Potato Crop was published (Morar 1999).
Like in other European countries the big famine of 1800 contributed to the spread
of potato across all three Romanian provinces (Moldavia, Transylvania and
Walachia). The different names for potato still in use in the Romanian language
reflect the areas from which potato was originally introduced, the majority being in
Germany and Austria.
With the passing of time the importance of the crop increased. Potato is now
considered the second bread of Romania.

& L.E.
Gh.Olteanu
Olteanu: L.
E.Asanache
Asanache
S. C. Chiru (*) : G.
National Institute of R&D for Potato and Sugar Beet (INCDCSZ) Brasov, P.O. Box 500470,
Fundaturii str. 2, Brasov, Romania
e-mail: sorinchiru@potato.ro

NO9119; No of Pages

218

Potato Research (2008) 51:217222

Statistics and Trends

Except for the period 19701990 when potato production in Romania was based on
a large-scale, industrial system of cultivation, in both earlier and present periods, the
potato crop is mainly grown on small plots.
During the last 50 years, the average potato production area was 250,000
316,000 ha (putting Romania on the second or third rank with Germany and after
Poland) with an average yield of 14.5 t ha1 and a total production of 2.64.4 million
tonnes (Fig. 1).
Comparison with an average yield of 3040 t ha1 in western countries in the
same period shows that the yield in Romania was 2.5 to 3 times smaller. The lower
yields per hectare in Romania are associated with the following limiting factors
(Chiru et al. 2006):
&
&
&
&
&

small size of agricultural enterprises (more than two million landowners have
less than 0.3 ha (Table 1);
poor phytosanitary quality of planting material;
lack of financial resources for potato growers;
low professional level of potato growers;
poor weather conditions of the last years (Olteanu et al. 2008; Figs. 2 and 3).

350

18.0

300

16.0
14.0

250

12.0

200

10.0

150

8.0
6.0

100

Yield (t/ha)

Area ( 1000 ha)

Over the last years, the potato crop in Romania has been confronted with some
problems linked to climate and weather. In the Brasov area, in the period 1961
2007, the average annual temperature increased from 7.3 C to 8.0 C (Fig. 2) and
the total annual rainfall decreased from 620.0 to 570.0 mm (Fig. 3).
An analysis of the situation of the potato industry in Romania in comparison with
the potato sectors of other Central and East European countries, over the period
19962006, reveals thatafter PolandRomania occupies the second place in terms
of potato acreage and total production. A general and characteristic phenomenon
observed in Central and East Europe is that the area cropped with potato is declining
rapidly. The potato acreage of the year 2006 was only about 4968% of the average

4.0

50

2.0

0
1957- 1961- 1971- 1981- 1991- 20011960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2007

2008

0.0

Period
Area

Yield

Trend (Yield)

Trend (Area)

Fig. 1 Evolution of potato area and average yield in Romania in the last 50 years (19572007) and the
values for 2008. Sources: FAO Databases and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Romania

Potato Research (2008) 51:217222

219

Table 1 The size of agricultural enterprises (2007)

Type of agricultural enterprise

Number of landowners

Average potato area (ha)

Individual growers
Family associations
Companies
Research and development units

2,261,000
1,197
498
5

0.3
13.7
25.6
86.0

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Romania

area under potato in the period 19962006. The only exception is Romania where the
potato acreage in 2006 was still 95% of the average acreage over the period 1996
2006. Also the total potato production declined in a similar way in Central and East
Europe but not in Romania (Table 2).

Results of Potato Research in Romania

10.0
9.8
9.6
9.4
9.2
9.0
8.8
8.6
8.4
8.2
8.0
7.8
7.6
7.4
7.2
7.0
6.8
6.6
6.4
6.2
6.0
19
61
19
63
19
65
19
67
19
69
19
71
19
73
19
75
19
77
19
79
19
81
19
83
19
85
19
87
19
89
19
91
19
93
19
95
19
97
19
99
20
01
20
03
20
05
20
07

(0C)

In the Brasov area, potato research has a long tradition and this is justified by the
favourable ecological conditions, but also by the importance of this crop for food,
industry and animal fodder.
Potato research started in Romania after the foundation of the Agricultural
Research Institute ICAR in 1927. In 1967, the Research Institute for Potato and
Sugar Beet Brasov (ICCS) was set up, an event which marked the beginning of
modern research on potato. In 2007, the fact that the Institute had uninterruptedly
been active for 40 years was celebrated.

Period
Av. ann. temp.

Trend (Av. ann. temp.)

Fig. 2 Average annual temperature in the Brasov area (19612007)

Potato Research (2008) 51:217222

2007

2005

2003

2001

1999

1997

1995

1993

1991

1989

1987

1985

1983

1981

1979

1977

1975

1973

1971

1969

1967

1965

1963

890.0
870.0
850.0
830.0
810.0
790.0
770.0
750.0
730.0
710.0
690.0
670.0
650.0
630.0
610.0
590.0
570.0
550.0
530.0
510.0
490.0
470.0
450.0
430.0
410.0
390.0
370.0
350.0
1961

(mm)

220

Period

Total ann. rainfall

Trend (Total ann. rainfall)

Fig. 3 Total annual rainfall in the Brasov area (19612007)

Between 1920 and 1950, because of the importance of potato breeding, research
was started to create the best varieties from the wealth of diversity that exists world
wide (Chiru et al. 1992, 2006). First, varieties were created at Bod by Stephani,
starting in 1923 (e.g., Maikoning, Edelrosen). Velican created the varieties Ardeal,
Somean and Napoca, between 1930 and 1945.
An important qualitative leap in the potato breeding activity occurred between
1951 and 1966, after improving the selection methodology and applying restrictive

Table 2 Evolution of the potato acreage and total potato production in Romania and in six other countries
in Central and East Europe for the period 19962006 and in 2006
Country

Area (ha1,000)
Average
2006
19962006

Poland
1,112.39
Romania
299.38
Czech Rep.
61.17
Hungary
46.16
Bulgaria
44.94
Slovakia
29.56
Slovenia
8.73

Total production (t1,000)

Difference Percentage Average
2006
19962006

597.23 515.16
283.09 16.29
30.03 31.14
22.58 23.58
24.47 20.47
18.38 11.18
5.92
2.81

54
95
49
49
54
62
68

Difference Percentage

20,008.46 8,981.98 11,026.48 45

4,155.01 4,015.90
139.11 97
1,309.05
692.17
779.02 53
991.58
574.44
417.14 58
523.74
386.05
137.69 74
464.21
263.08
201.13 57
179.02
106.97
72.05 60

Sources: FAO Databases and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Romania

Potato Research (2008) 51:217222

221

breeding criteria concerning the resistance to late blight, wart disease, and virus
diseases (Constantinescu et al. 1969).
Between 1951 and 1966, the following potato varieties were created: Bucur,
Colina, Poiana, Padina, Ghimban, Mgura, Carpatin and Braovean. During the
period 19672000, another 30 potato varieties were obtained, the most representative being: Semenic, Super, Murean, Rustic, Roclas, Nana, Christian, Nicoleta,
Redsec, Rozana, Robusta and Sucevia. These varieties, characterized by superior
performance, were the result of an intensification of the breeding activity, both at the
Institute and at the Miercurea Ciuc, Trgu Secuiesc, and Suceava research stations
(Bozean 2002). During the period 20002007, 25 new potato varieties were created,
with proper qualities for different uses. Special attention was given to precocity,
dynamics of tuberization and ecological plasticity. In this period, the varieties
Dumbrava, Transilvania, Magic, Astral, Claudiu, Luiza, Milenium, Rozal and
Amicii were created.
Identifying potato degeneration zones and the production of varieties for different
uses were important research aims. Based on the results of this research, closed
zones for potato production based on climatic conditions and production purposes
(early potato, summer potato, autumnwinter consumption, seed potato and
processing) were created. Elucidating the phenomena of seed potato degeneration
allowed establishing theoretical and practical bases to create a national system of
seed potato production. This system ensured the necessary planting material from
internal production until 1990 (Draica et al. 1992).
To increase the accuracy of the diagnosis of potato viruses (especially PLRV,
PVY and PVA), ELISA techniques were introduced and extended, starting in 1998.
Taking into consideration that resistance to pests and diseases of potato is an
important element to reduce yield losses, an important activity was done to elaborate
new testing methods for late blight resistance, in the field, in the greenhouse and in
the laboratory. Potato varieties bred in Romania had a field resistance comparable
with those of foreign varieties. Due to the introduction of new standards for seed
quality, other pests were studied as well. These include wireworms, potato root
nematodes, potato cyst nematodes, which all affect potato yield and quality
(Plmdeal 1989). The results from the efforts over the period 19672007
materialized in 380 breeding lines, over 40 new potato varieties, 130 technologies
and modern methodologies, and 20002400 t/year of biological material from
superior categories.

Present and Future Objectives

To solve the problems of Romanian potato crop under the prevailing economic and
climatic conditions, the scientific research in Romania has set the following
objectives:
1. Development of potato breeding and genetic research through new genomic and
technological approaches, to obtain genotypes, which correspond to present and
future requirements regarding the production of healthier food, with high
qualities, suitable for ecological agriculture and which permit utilization of new

222

Potato Research (2008) 51:217222

protective technological methods more friendly to the environment, with

conservation potential to regenerate natural resources.
The ways to reach these objectives are the following:
&
&
&
&

improving yield and quality, increasing diversity and breeding new genotypes
with special characteristics (antioxidants, vitamins, essential nutrients);
obtaining stress resisting genotypes to reduce the effects of adverse
conditions (climate changes, high CO2 concentration, pollution);
breeding genotypes suitable for processing;
breeding genotypes suitable to be grown under organic agriculture conditions.

2. Development of clean technologies from farm to fork in accordance with

sustainable agricultural principles, increasing food security and safety, respecting general and specific requirements of the market.
Directions to reach these objectives are:
&
&
&

perfecting the technologies and drawing up the Guide for Good Agricultural
Practices (GAP).
elaboration of decision support systems (DSS) for all involved processes
(production, pest and disease management, and farm management).
promoting the principles of Precision Farming through organizing a Centre
of Excellence (based on the newest scientific achievements: intelligent and
cognitive systems for monitoring, modelling and management of processes
in potato agro-ecosystems).

3. Promoting alternative technologies for the potato crop to obtain ecological

products.
Specific technologies for ecological crops with high environmental protection
should be elaborated and promoted.

References
Bozesan I (2002) Realizari si perspective privind genetica si ameliorarea cartofului (Achievements and
perspectives of potato genetics and breeding). Lucrri tiinifice (Anale) ICDCSZ Brasov 29:1636
Chiru S, Gorea T, Cupa A, Muresan S, Chiru N, Booman GH, Pop L (1992) 25 de ani de cercetare n
domeniul cartofuluiAmeliorarea cartofului (25 years of potato researchpotato breeding). Lucrri
tiinifice (Anale) ICPC Braov 19:2638
Chiru SC, Olteanu G, Dima LE (2006) Actual state and future trends of the Romanian potato industry. In:
Haase NU, Haverkort AJ (eds) Potato development in changing Europe. Wageningen Academic
Publishers, Wageningen, pp 242249
Constantinescu E (ed) (1969) Ameliorarea cartofului (Potato breeding). In: Cartoful (Potato). Agrosilvic,
Bucureti, pp 70154
Draica C et al (1992) 25 de ani de cercetare n domeniul cartofuluiContribuia ICPC Braov la
dezvoltarea cartofului n Romnia, (25 years of potato researchICPC contribution to potato
development in Romania). Lucrri tiinifice (Anale) ICPC Braov 19:425
Morar G (1999) Cultura cartofului [Potato crop]. Ed. RISOPRINT, Cluj-Napoca, p 197
Olteanu Gh, Aldea C, Buiuc M, Olteanu C, Asanache L (2008) Climatic changes and potato crop
production in central part of Romania. In: Chiru et al. (eds) Potato for a changing world. Abstracts of
Papers and Posters, 17th Triennial Conference of the EAPR, July 610, 2008, Brasov, pp 286289
Plmdeal B (1989) Aprecierea rezistenei tuberculilor de cartof la principalele ciuperci parasite,
[Estimation of tubers resistance to main parasite fungus]. Analele ICPC 16:207215