Carpets and rugs market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for carpets and rugs in Romania expanded from 15.2 million m² in 2018 to 20.1 million m² in 2021. This growth coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which in 2020 lowered inflation and shifted consumer preferences toward functional, durable home products as people spent more time indoors. By 2021, supply chain disruptions pushed inflation higher, increasing costs, but heightened consumer attention to material quality and origin helped sustain demand.

Market volume then contracted to 17.9 million m² in 2022 and further to 16.3 million m² in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by surging inflation, which reached 13.8% in 2022, eroding purchasing power and making consumers more price-sensitive. During this period, buying behavior shifted toward practical, easy-to-maintain products, and digitalization strengthened the role of online channels in sales and distribution.

In 2024, the market recovered to 19.0 million m², nearing the peak level of 2021, indicating the industry's adaptation to stabilized economic conditions after the inflationary shock.

Production carpets and rugs in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Exports carpets and rugs from Romania

Exports in kind, K m²

Romania's exports of carpets and rugs reached 3 320 thousand square meters in 2020, showing a modest increase of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 22.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 403 thousand square meters. In 2019, exports experienced their largest decline of 4.0%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 25.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Czechia were the top destinations for Romania's carpet and rug exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 29.6% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 27.2%, and Czechia at 16.6%. Together, these three countries represented 73.4% of Romania's total export flows in this category.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's cross-border shipments of carpets and rugs were valued at 19.9 million US dollars, reflecting a slight increase of 2.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 21.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 9.7%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 with growth of 15.6%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands were the leading markets for Romania's carpet and rug exports in value terms. Germany held a 31.6% share of exports, Austria accounted for 20.6%, and the Netherlands made up 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 62.3% of Romania's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports carpets and rugs to Romania

Imports in kind, K m²

Romania's imports of carpets and rugs increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 19 708 thousand square meters. This represents a moderate year-over-year growth of 8.5%. From 2017 to 2020, import volume expanded by 12.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Belgium were the primary sources for Romania's carpet and rug imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 55.2% of total imports in this category.

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, M $ US

Romania imported carpets and rugs worth 19 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 7.2% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value increased by 19%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a decrease of 1.4%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 12.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands were the leading sources for Romania's carpet and rug imports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 27.9% of imports, Belgium for 13.8%, and the Netherlands for 10.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 51.8% of Romania's total import value in this sector.

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

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