The consumption of jamón in Romania has increased almost 4 times in recent years. The cost varies between 250 lei and 6,000 lei

Romanians increasingly prefer traditional Spanish products, consuming almost 4 times more jamón in 2023 compared to 2021. Most consumers of Spanish ham are in Bucharest, Cluj, and Timișoara and are willing to pay up to 6,000 lei for a single piece, according to data from Alioli.ro and Jamoneria by Alioli, the only jamoneria in Romania. In recent years, jamón is increasingly bought around Christmas to give as a gift, with demand being 20-25 times higher in December than on a normal day.

Demand for jamón in Spain increases exponentially in December, especially before Christmas, being 20-25 times higher during this period than on a normal day. If on an ordinary day Romanians buy 5 jamons, before Christmas Romanians buy 100-120 jamons per day.

The most sought-after types of jamón are Jamon Serrano, a type of dry, salted, and matured ham, Jamon Ibérico – a top quality jamón from acorn-fed Iberian pigs prized for its rich texture and complex flavors, and Jamon Bellota 100% Pata Negra, a product of the highest quality, coming from purebred Iberian pigs fed on acorns. These types of jamón cost from 250 lei to 6,000 lei a piece.

Romanians from Bucharest, Cluj and Timișoara are the biggest consumers of jamón, annually over 3,000 pieces of jamón are delivered to these cities. Weighing between 4.5 kg and 9 kg, the jamón is a product suitable for long-term consumption, up to 3 months. Spanish jamón is most frequently bought for own consumption, but also to be given as a gift in the business environment or to relatives during the holidays.

“Traditional Spanish jamón is increasingly appreciated in Romania, being a product equally preferred by Romanians, including those from the diaspora, and expats. The consumption of jamón has grown exponentially in recent years, with demand being 375% higher in 2023 compared to 2021, and because there is a great desire for culinary diversity among Romanians. Being a nutritious and versatile product that can be eaten alongside other foods, jamón is increasingly present on the Christmas table in Romanian homes. Thus, 70% of the sale of jamón takes place during the winter holidays, Spanish ham being the most sought-after product in Spain in December”, explains Sorin Barbu, owner of Jamoneria by Alioli and Alioli.ro, part of the group of restaurants with specific Spaniard who also owns La Pescaderia and Casa Espana by Alioli.

How to store jamón – practical tips for long-term consumption

Jamón is an easy product to store because it does not require low temperatures. As a dry meat specialty, jamón is best stored in a ventilated, moisture-free room with temperatures between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. It is important to avoid storing it at low temperatures, for example in the refrigerator. So, jamon does not spoil if it is kept under domestic conditions.

Once started, a jamón can be eaten in about 3 months. It is thus recommended to be covered with parchment paper or plastic wrap. If mold appears on the surface of the unstarted jamón, this does not mean that the product is spoiled. The mold proves that the jamon has a noble natural origin. You just need to clean the surface with a kitchen towel dipped in sunflower oil and then it can be consumed safely. For greater comfort when slicing, the jamón can be held on a special wooden support and also a special stainless-steel knife can be used for the thinnest slices.