Romania Extends Food Price Cap, Monitors Bottled-Water Prices

As a result of the move, the existing price cap on said products, initially introduced in July 2023, has been extended until 31 March 2026, ESM Magazine reports.

The measure targets processors, distributors and traders, with the primary goal of ensuring that Romanian consumers, especially low-income individuals, have access to basic foods.

The Ministry of Agriculture states that the policy has been successful in lowering the price of targeted goods, reducing consumer price inflation and boosting purchasing power.

The extension to the price cap was approved on 25 September.

Bottled Water

In parallel with the extended food price controls, Romanian legislators have introduced a new bill in the Senate proposing to cap the price of 500ml bottled water at €0.60 (RON 3, including taxes).

This ‘regulated price’ would apply specifically to locations where consumers have limited purchasing options, such as airports, railway stations, bus and metro stations, motorway service areas, and petrol stations.

The draft law defines these ‘spaces’ as commercial areas where reasonable alternatives for purchasing drinking water are scarce.

The proposed cap would apply to still or carbonated natural mineral water, spring water, or table water sold in 500ml bottles.

The bill mandates that the maximum price be clearly displayed on shelves, and not contingent upon purchasing other products. Non-compliance could lead to fines of up to RON 25,000 (€4,920).

If passed, Romania would become one of the few EU countries to implement specific price controls on bottled water in transport hubs and service areas nationwide.