Acetic acid esters market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Romanian market for acetic acid esters experienced shifts in both volume and value. The early part of the period was influenced by global trends, including the development of bio-based acetic acid and price fluctuations caused by plant shutdowns abroad, which affected import costs and market pricing. While import volumes in physical terms showed a general downward trend from 5 825 t in 2018, the market's value demonstrated growth, peaking in 2022.

A significant shift occurred in 2022 when Romanian authorities enforced stricter quality and labeling regulations for acetic acid, particularly for food-grade products. The National Authority for Consumer Protection discovered adulterated vinegar in major retail chains, reinforcing a market move towards compliant, higher-quality products. This regulatory push contributed to the market value rising to 10.9 million USD in 2022, even as the physical market volume declined to 4 753 t. Following this peak, both market volume and value adjusted downwards through 2024.

Production acetic acid esters in Romania

According to Faostat, there is no production of acetic acid esters in Romania.

Exports acetic acid esters from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of acetic acid esters declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country shipped 165 tonnes, marking a modest 7.7% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 38.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 15.1%. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 359 tonnes, representing a 33.6% increase from the previous year. However, the sharpest drop was recorded in 2019, when exports plummeted by 50.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Romania's acetic acid ester exports in volume terms were Moldova, Bulgaria, and Germany. Moldova accounted for 54.0% of total exports, Bulgaria for 24.2%, and Germany for 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 87.9% of Romania's export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's export earnings from acetic acid esters fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 277 thousand US dollars, down 10.6% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value declined by 72.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -34.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the key partners in terms of export value were Moldova, Austria, and Bulgaria. Moldova contributed 22.0% of total export value, Austria 20.0%, and Bulgaria 19.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.1% of Romania's total export flows in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports acetic acid esters to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 5 584 tonnes of acetic acid esters, a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 544 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 5 825 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.8%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and China were the top suppliers of acetic acid esters to Romania in volume terms. Germany accounted for 19.3% of imports, Poland for 14.0%, and China for 9.6%. Together, these three countries made up 43.0% of total imports, with the remainder coming from a diverse range of smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's spending on acetic acid ester imports decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 6 973 thousand US dollars, a 7.1% reduction from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 9 180 thousand US dollars, which saw a 26.8% increase from the previous year. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with an 18.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Germany, Poland, and France were significant suppliers of acetic acid esters to Romania in value terms. Germany held a 25.3% share of import value, Poland 12.4%, and France 8.0%. However, their combined share reached only 45.6% of total imports, with the remaining 54.4% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020