Asphalt and bitumen articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for asphalt and bitumen articles in Romania was valued at 41.5 million US dollars in 2018 but declined to 39.5 million by 2020. This contraction followed a significant 6.1% drop in the construction sector in 2018, which reduced demand for road-building materials and lowered domestic production. Although construction activity rebounded from 2019 onward due to infrastructure investments, attracting new foreign players, rising energy and raw material costs in 2020 increased production expenses and constrained market growth.

Market size recovered to 43.4 million US dollars in 2022, driven by a 10.5% surge in construction output fueled by infrastructure projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and European funds. Simultaneously, prices for construction materials, including asphalt and bitumen, rose further due to higher input and energy costs. Romania's reliance on bitumen imports remained high, with only one active refinery producing bitumen domestically.

In 2023, the market expanded to 46.2 million US dollars, supported by an 8.1% growth in construction activity and the launch of major highway projects that boosted demand for bitumen and asphalt products. Energy and oil prices continued to climb, affecting production costs, while bitumen imports covered most of the country's needs. Government plans announced in 2024 to build thousands of kilometers of highways indicate sustained demand for bitumen, although prices for asphalt and bitumen increased significantly.

Production asphalt and bitumen articles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output value of asphalt and bitumen articles in Romania was 20 502 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Exports asphalt and bitumen articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, exports of asphalt and bitumen articles from Romania declined. In 2020, export volume reached 9 091 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 10.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 3.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 197 tonnes, with the largest increase of 4.1% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—Bulgaria and Greece—together accounted for 87.7% of total exports in kind, while the remaining volume was distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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

Following a two-year rise, cross-border shipments of asphalt and bitumen articles from Romania declined. In 2020, Romania exported 5 119 thousand US dollars worth of these articles, representing a 3.2% decline compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 15.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 5 286 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.9% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria and Greece played the leading roles in exports in value terms, with a combined share of 88.7% of total flows, while the remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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

Imports asphalt and bitumen articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Imported volumes of asphalt and bitumen articles in Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 51 647 tonnes, amounting to a moderate rise of 5.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (46.9% of imports in kind), Italy (14.2% of imports in kind), and Austria (12.0% of imports in kind) were the largest suppliers of asphalt and bitumen articles to Romania, together forming 73.2% of total imports in kind.

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 import value of asphalt and bitumen articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 24 117 thousand US dollars, indicating a gain of 0.9% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (32.5% of imports in value terms), Italy (16.4% of imports in value terms), and Austria (15.6% of imports in value terms) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 64.6% 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