CAEN Code Rev. 3

0121

Grape cultivation

EU NACE Equivalent: NACE Rev. 3 — 0121

This code covers all activities related to grape cultivation, from land preparation and vine planting to grape harvesting. It includes both table grape production and grapes intended for winemaking, as well as vineyard maintenance. It is the appropriate code for any business involved in viticulture, regardless of the varieties cultivated or the final destination of the production.

Entrepreneur Profile

Acest cod este destinat fermierilor, societăților agricole (SRL, SA, cooperative) și persoanelor fizice autorizate (PFA) care dețin sau exploatează livezi de viță-de-vie. Este potrivit atât pentru producătorii mici, care vând struguri proaspeți pe piață, cât și pentru marile exploatații viticole care livrează materie primă către crame.

Who should avoid:

Avoid the exclusive use of code 0121 if the main activity of your company shifts towards other commercial or related branches not specified in the official description. See the excluded activities section below.

Authorization procedure and Trade Register aspects for NACE 0121

Establishing a company operating under NACE 0121 (grape cultivation) involves the standard registration stages at the Trade Register (ONRC), with specific clarifications regarding the object of activity. When drafting the constitutive act, the main activity must be explicitly stated as "Grape cultivation", code NACE 0121, according to the Classification of Activities in the National Economy. For authorized natural persons (PFA) or individual enterprises (II), the correct declaration of the NACE code is mandatory at the time of registration, and for LLCs (SRLs), it must be completed at the Trade Register and the Tax Authority (ANAF). It is essential that the associate or legal representative submits the affidavit pursuant to Law 359/2004, certifying compliance with the legal operating conditions. There is no requirement for mandatory higher education, but basic knowledge of viticulture is recommended. Also, for small areas of land, no environmental permit is required; however, if the holding exceeds a certain threshold, registration with the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) and obtaining a vineyard holding number are mandatory. Do not forget to check whether the locality is listed in the National Vineyard Register (Recoltă), as only certain areas are authorized for wine grape cultivation. Any deviation from these formalities results in suspension of activity and fines by the Environmental Guard.

Regulatory framework, specific permits and control institutions

The activity of grape cultivation (NACE 0121) is strictly regulated by the Vine and Wine Law no. 164/2015, transposing the EU common market organization (CMO) for wine. Thus, any producer intending to market grapes for winemaking must register in the Vineyard Register (RPV) with the National Mountain Area Agency (ANZM) or the county agricultural directorates. For planting new vineyards, a planting authorization issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) is mandatory, based on the annual national quota. Lack of authorization attracts contravention sanctions and dismantling of the plantation. Also, the use of plant protection products (pesticides, herbicides) must comply with EU rules on the sustainable use of pesticides (Directive 2009/128/EC), and economic operators are required to hold a phytosanitary product application certificate. The main control institutions are: Environmental Guard (for pollution and waste management), Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate (DSVSA) (for traceability of production if grapes are processed into must or wine), and Labour Inspectorate (ITM) (for occupational safety when using agricultural machinery). If the holding includes storage or primary processing facilities, a sanitary-veterinary permit from DSVSA is also required. I recommend constant consultation of MADR orders, as eligible areas for subsidies change annually.

Tax management, ANAF audit risk and specific accounting

From a fiscal perspective, activity NACE 0121 falls under income from agriculture, and the taxation regime depends on the legal form and the volume of income. Natural persons (PFA/II) may opt for the real system (single-entry bookkeeping) or the income norm, if gross annual income does not exceed EUR 100,000. The income norm for grape cultivation is set annually by order of MADR and may be reduced by correction coefficients depending on area and year (calamities). For LLCs (SRLs), corporate income tax is paid at the standard rate of 16%, and if the company qualifies as a micro-enterprise (revenues below EUR 500,000 and 1-3 employees), the tax is 1% on revenues. VAT applies at the standard rate (19%) if turnover exceeds RON 300,000; otherwise, the special scheme for farmers may apply (reverse charge for grape deliveries to authorized processors). Note: ANAF has intensified thematic controls on wine producers, mainly targeting undue subsidization (APIA payments), Statements 394 and 311 for undeclared grape stocks, and non-registration in the RO e-Factura system for B2B deliveries. Specific accounting requires separate record-keeping of production by plot and parcel, valuation at actual production cost, and depreciation of the plantation over its useful life (25-30 years). It is imperative to maintain the vineyard production register, the pesticide application logbook, and all purchase invoices for planting material. Any omission risks subsidy rejection and tax reclassification. I recommend collaboration with a tax consultant specialized in agriculture to optimize the tax burden and avoid disputes.


Included Activities

  • ✅ Land preparation for vine planting
  • ✅ Planting, replanting and grafting of vines
  • ✅ Vineyard maintenance (pruning, tying, phytosanitary treatments, irrigation)
  • ✅ Manual or mechanical grape harvesting
  • ✅ Table grape production
  • ✅ Wine grape production
  • ✅ Establishment and operation of vine nurseries (production of planting material)
  • ✅ Grape cultivation activities in greenhouses or polytunnels

Excluded Activities

  • ❌ Wine production (NACE code 1102)
  • ❌ Retail sale of grapes (NACE code 4721)
  • ❌ Industrial processing of grapes (e.g., production of concentrated must)
  • ❌ Agricultural services performed for grape cultivation (NACE code 0161)

Întrebări Frecvente

What authorizations are needed for grape cultivation in Romania?

For grape cultivation, it is necessary to register the plantation with the County Office for Viticulture and Winemaking (OJVV) and obtain a producer certificate. Also, if plant protection products are used, an applicator certificate is mandatory. For irrigation, a permit from the National Administration Romanian Waters may be required.

What taxes and duties apply to income from grape cultivation?

Income from grape cultivation may be taxed according to the real system (based on accounting) or based on income norms, if the natural person is authorized. For LLCs, corporate income tax of 16% or micro-enterprise income tax (1% or 3% of turnover, depending on conditions) applies. Social contributions (CAS, CASS) are also due for the associate or employees.