Romanian food service market - restaurants and bars - will reach some 2.7 billion euros in 2009, amid the rise in the number of hotels and restaurants, as well as the improvement in the clients' living standards and, implicitly, in their education, shows an Euromonitor report, titled "Consumer Services in Romania".
According to certain unofficial estimates, there are some 6,000 restaurants and bars operating on the domestic market.
The report was drawn up last December and it analyses a part of the food service market, including restaurants, catering and fast-food chains, but not hotels.
According to the estimates, in 2004 the market rose to 5.4 billion RON (1.3 billion euros), a 365% surge compared to 2003, and a seven-fold rise against 1999, when the Romanian food-service market's value growth started being more dynamic.The growth was felt not only in value but also in volume. The number of outlets rose by 31% in 2004, compared with 2003, driven by the emergence of more and more classic restaurants.
Independent local chains have been also opened, whereas only 7 of the international chains carried out operations in Romania. The increase in the number of HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, catering) outlets remains the main trend for the next year. The specialists estimate their number will be constantly rising by some 9% every year.
The market will grow not only in terms of volume, but also especially in terms of value, as Romanians started focusing on the quality of services and products. The consumers are attracted by special outlets, which explains the rise in the number of Asian restaurants, especially the Japanese ones.
Regarding the consumer's characteristics, they are people aged between 20 and 40, with medium to high incomes. According to the report, only 9% of Romanians choose HoReCa outlets. However, there are major differences among the consumers, both regarding the geographical regions, as well as the size of the city, with Bucharest leading on the local market.
Regarding the outlets, the classic restaurants will still be the dominant ones, yet a constant development regarding the opening of new bars, cafes and fast-food chains, is forecast.
"We live in a country where the market is not saturated at all and where growth is still possible. Certainly, as of 2007, other new foreign operators will enter the market, new chains will be set up on the HoReCa segment, and the consumer will be more educated," said Cristina Barbu, food solutions manager at Unilever.
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