Cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes and sections market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market for cold-formed steel angles and shapes in Romania expanded from 10 thousand tons to nearly 16 thousand tons. This surge was driven by a boom in the construction sector, fueled by residential and commercial projects as well as public infrastructure investments, which increased demand for steel products. However, in 2020, the market volume contracted sharply to 8 thousand tons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a significant downturn in the steel industry and reduced overall demand.

A recovery began in 2021, lifting the market to 12 thousand tons, supported by a rebound in steel demand within the EU and rising prices for construction materials amid a raw material crisis. In the following years, despite financial difficulties reported by major producers like Liberty Galați, ongoing modernization investments—such as ArcelorMittal Hunedoara's €100 million upgrade plan and the acquisition and restructuring of the Târgoviște mill by an Italian group—helped the market grow gradually, reaching 15 thousand tons by 2023. Persistent price increases, driven by global inflation and high logistics costs, accompanied this expansion.

In 2024, the market volume jumped to 26 thousand tons, a 68% increase, primarily due to a 51% rise in imports to 32 thousand tons. This spike occurred against the backdrop of U.S. trade tariffs on steel, which redirected export flows toward the European market, and a 35% increase in construction steel prices in the first half of the year, caused by higher raw material costs, extended delivery times, and lowered demand for new housing in Europe.

Production cold-formed angles and shapes in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output peaked at 10 182 K $ US, but by 2020, it had dropped sharply to 5 848 K $ US, marking a 42.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 28.9%, averaging an annual decline of 10.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with an 11.8% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 5 183 tonnes of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections, a 61.6% drop from the prior year. Production reached its highest point in 2019 at 13 496 tonnes, which included a 52.3% increase that year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 53.7%, with an average annual decline of 22.6%.

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

Exports cold-formed angles and shapes from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 12 231 tonnes, up 4.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 86%, averaging an annual growth rate of 23.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and France were the top buyers of Romania's cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections in volume terms. Hungary accounted for 66.2% of exports, Bulgaria for 11.6%, and France for 5.7%, together making up 83.5% 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

After two years of growth, Romania's export value of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections dipped. In 2019, exports hit a high of 13 497 K $ US, but in 2020, they fell slightly to 13 354 K $ US, a 1.1% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 59.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.9%. The largest rise was in 2018, at 46.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, France, and Bulgaria dominated Romania's export value for cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections. Hungary led with 56.6% of exports, followed by France at 10.8% and Bulgaria at 10.2%, collectively representing 77.6% 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 cold-formed angles and shapes to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 15 359 tonnes, an 8.4% increase from 2019. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 11 912 tonnes, which saw a 2.3% decline. In 2019, imports jumped by 19.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 26%, with an average annual rate of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia were the main sources for Romania's imports of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections in volume terms. Slovakia contributed 25.3%, Poland 17.8%, and Czechia 17.2%, together accounting for 60.2% of total import volume.

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

In 2020, Romania imported 17 050 K $ US worth of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections, a 1.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 15.4%, with an average annual rate of 4.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 13.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia were the leading suppliers of cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections to Romania in value terms. Poland and Slovakia each held 18.3% of imports, and Czechia accounted for 16.4%, together making up 52.9% of total import value.

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

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