Coal market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Romania's coal market volume fell from 24.8 million tonnes in 2018 to 22.5 million tonnes in 2019, then dropped sharply to 16.3 million tonnes in 2020. This decline took place even as state-owned Complexul Energetic Oltenia expanded several coal quarries between 2015 and 2020, an effort that could have supported output but did not offset the broader downward pressure from energy transition trends.

Market volume rebounded to 19.2 million tonnes in 2021, an 18% increase from the previous year. This recovery followed the government's official announcement of a gradual coal phase-out by 2032, a policy that may have prompted short-term adjustments to ensure energy security, with domestic production rising to 18.4 million tonnes according to national estimates.

In 2022, the market stabilized at 19.3 million tonnes. Domestic production grew slightly to 18.9 million tonnes, while imports decreased. European policies aimed at emission reductions and the shift toward renewable energy continued to influence the sector, though coal retained a role in national energy security during periods of high demand or system stress.

Production coal in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 21st globally in coal production.

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Romania's coal production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 590 K t of coal, representing a 29.3% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 40.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 15.7%.

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

Exports coal from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.6 K t, with the highest volume recorded in 2017, creating a 33-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's coal exports rose to 2.1 K t, marking a significant 229.1% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 90.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia was the primary destination for Romania's coal exports, consistently accounting for 99.1% of total exports in 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, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their lowest value in 2019 at 0.1 M $ US, while the peak was in 2017, resulting in an 8.9-fold gap. In 2020, coal exports from Romania amounted to 0.2 M $ US, up by 99.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, with an 83.6% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Serbia remained the nearly exclusive buyer of Romanian coal, holding a 94.5% share 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 coal to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Romania imported 425.5 K t of coal in 2019, the lowest volume during the period, while the maximum was recorded in 2018 at 933.5 K t. In 2020, imports reached 720.6 K t, a 69.4% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.3%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 54.4% fall.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the main supplier of coal to Romania, accounting for 85.7% of total imports in volume, while other partners had relatively modest 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, M $ US

Romania's coal import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 60.6 M $ US, indicating a sharp 50.0% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was in 2018 at 123.5 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 21.8%. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 40.2%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 15.8%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Russia dominated Romania's coal imports in value terms, absorbing 84.6% of total flows, with a large number of minor partners making up the remainder.

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

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