Chamois leather market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian chamois leather market showed significant volume volatility from 2018 to 2024. Market size in physical terms fell from 526 thousand m² in 2018 to 290 thousand m² in 2020, then recovered to 334 thousand m² in 2022. This was followed by a sharp contraction to 216 thousand m² in 2023 and a partial rebound to 281 thousand m² in 2024.

In value terms, the market contracted overall from 9.8 million US dollars in 2018 to 2.5 million US dollars in 2024. A temporary recovery occurred in 2021, when market value rose to 4.9 million US dollars after hitting a low of 3.6 million US dollars the previous year, but the downward trend resumed thereafter.

Domestic production fluctuated in line with market volume, declining from 155 thousand m² in 2018 to 93 thousand m² in 2022 before a notable increase to 194 thousand m² in 2024. Changes in import and export volumes further contributed to the net market size movements throughout the period.

Production chamois leather in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's chamois leather production value declined in 2020, reaching 1 220 K $ US. This represents a 15.4% decrease compared to 2019, when production peaked at 1 441 K $ US with a 6.4% increase. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 10%, averaging an annual decline of 3.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Chamois leather production in Romania continued its downward trend for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output stood at 127.0 K m², marking a significant year-on-year decline of 16.4%. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 18.1%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 6.4%.

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

Exports chamois leather from Romania

Exports in kind, K m²

Romania's chamois leather exports grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 99.1 K m², showing a 9.9% increase over the previous year. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 66.5 K m², with a 12.6% decline that year. Exports then surged by 35.5% in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 30.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and France were the primary destinations for Romania's chamois leather exports by volume. Italy accounted for 32.6% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 23.1%, and France at 19.0%. Together, these three countries represented 74.8% of total export volume.

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

In 2020, Romania's chamois leather export value fell to 2 796 K $ US, a 6.6% decrease from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 400 K $ US, with a 14.9% decline that year. Exports then rebounded in 2019, reaching a peak of 2 995 K $ US with a 24.8% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value showed fluctuations with these key movements.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and the Netherlands consistently led as the top markets for Romania's chamois leather exports by value. Italy held a 31.4% share, France accounted for 23.1%, and the Netherlands made up 17.5%. Combined, these three countries represented 72.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports chamois leather to Romania

Imports in kind, K m²

Romania's chamois leather imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume dropped by 24.8% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 47.8%, averaging an annual decline of 19.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's chamois leather imports by volume were highly concentrated, with Italy dominating the market. Italy accounted for 96.0% of total import volume during this period.

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 chamois leather import value continued to fall for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports decreased by 31.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value dropped by 59%, with an average annual decline of 25.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Italy was the overwhelming source for Romania's chamois leather imports by value, capturing 96.0% of total import flows.

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

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