Ceramic building bricks market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian ceramic building bricks market expanded consistently from 2018 to 2022, starting with the introduction of a technical guide that set quality and certification requirements for market entry, reinforcing product standards. Growth accelerated in 2019 as fiscal deficits and political uncertainties spurred demand for traditional construction materials. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted supply chains in 2020, but a post‑pandemic construction boom drove a sharp market increase in 2021, further supported by the opening of Caparol’s new brick factory in Sâncraiu. In 2022, the market value continued to rise, partly due to producers like Cersanit announcing price increases in response to higher production costs, while acquisitions by Dedeman and Wienerberger consolidated major players’ positions.

A significant contraction occurred in 2023, with market size falling by nearly a third, reflecting a downturn in demand after the earlier boom. Despite this decline, manufacturers continued to invest: Cemacon inaugurated Romania’s first facing‑brick plant in Recea, introducing a new facade‑product segment, and Wienerberger opened a new facility in Buzău. The market continued to shrink in 2024, accompanied by a 6% drop in brick prices, indicating sustained demand weakness and potential reductions in production costs.

Production ceramic building bricks in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's ceramic building bricks production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 155.9 million US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 2.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 36.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%.

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

Exports ceramic building bricks from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Ceramic building bricks deliveries from Romania have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 37.6 thousand tonnes, up by 34.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 114.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Moldova alone accounting for 98.8% of total exports in kind.

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

Ceramic building bricks volumes leaving Romania have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 518 thousand US dollars, up by 13.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 119.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ceramic building bricks from Romania were shipped mainly to Moldova, which absorbed 98.9% of total exports 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 ceramic building bricks to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign ceramic building bricks supplies to Romania have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported approximately 223.1 thousand tonnes of ceramic building bricks, marking a significant advance of 30.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 159.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 37.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary (31.2% of imports in kind), Serbia (28.9% of imports in kind), and Greece (13.3% of imports in kind) were the main sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 73.4% of total flows.

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 ceramic building bricks import volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported a total of 13 548 thousand US dollars of ceramic building bricks, amounting to a steep increase of 46.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 169.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 39.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia (26.8% of imports in value terms), Hungary (25.8% of imports in value terms), and Greece (14.6% of imports in value terms) accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms, together comprising 67.3% 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