Aluminium sulphate market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The aluminium sulphate market in Romania experienced a significant contraction from 2019 to 2022, with its volume falling from 17 905 t to just 7 470 t. This steep decline was primarily driven by severe disruptions in the global aluminium supply chain, which serves as a key input for sulphate production. In 2022, the spike in European energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine forced the closure of several aluminium smelters, severely constraining metal availability. Concurrently, China's production caps on aluminium further tightened global supply, placing additional pressure on downstream producers of aluminium-based chemicals like aluminium sulphate.

Market conditions began to stabilise and recover from 2023 onward, with the market volume reaching 9 663 t in 2024. This turnaround coincided with operational developments at ALRO Slatina, a major regional primary aluminium producer. After facing lower international aluminium quotations and an economic slowdown in 2023, the company reported a 32% year-on-year increase in its primary aluminium output in the first quarter of 2024. The improved availability of this essential raw material provided a foundation for the aluminium sulphate market's partial recovery in the latter part of the period.

Production aluminium sulphate in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's aluminium sulphate output was valued at 4 343 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.7% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania produced 18 206 tonnes of aluminium sulphate in 2020, reflecting a significant year-over-year decline of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports aluminium sulphate from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Aluminium sulphate exports from Romania declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 2 835 tonnes, showing a sharp 48.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 59.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Bulgaria, Nigeria, and Greece—collectively accounted for 68.0% of Romania's total aluminium sulphate exports in volume terms.

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 aluminium sulphate export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 642 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 49.9% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 50.1%, with a CAGR of -20.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 319 thousand US dollars, which represented a 2.5% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria (28.9% of export value), Nigeria (26.6%), and Greece (9.8%) led the structure of Romania's aluminium sulphate exports in value terms, together representing 65.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports aluminium sulphate to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 110 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.1 times. In 2020, Romania imported 242 tonnes of aluminium sulphate, representing a 49.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 80.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary dominated Romania's aluminium sulphate imports in volume terms, accounting for 79.8% of total flows, while other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 96 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.6 times. In 2020, Romania's aluminium sulphate imports reached 248 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 2.3% gain relative to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 152.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, Hungary (48.8% of import value), Italy (22.1%), and Austria (14.4%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Romania's aluminium sulphate imports in value terms, with a combined share of 85.4% of total flows.

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

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