Combined ball and roller bearings market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, production of combined ball and roller bearings in Romania reached 13 305 t, supported by the modernization of the state-owned Alexandria bearing plant by the Japanese company Koyo Seiko and national policies aimed at developing the bearing industry. This contributed to a market size of 13 603 t. However, production volumes fell to 7 528 t by 2020, reducing the physical market to 7 602 t.

Production recovered to 9 198 t in 2021, driven by an increase in the number of bearing companies and more demanding requirements for product accuracy and performance. The following year, output declined again to 7 500 t as the Alexandria factory began recording losses and entered a gradual shutdown process, directly reducing domestic production capacity. During this period, the industry also engaged with digital transformation initiatives promoted by events like the FACTORY 4.0 conference.

The sector's contraction continued, with production dropping to 5 979 t in 2023 and 5 587 t in 2024. This was primarily due to significant losses and collective layoffs at the major producer Rulmenți SA, alongside broader reforms in state-owned enterprises monitored by AMEPIP. Despite the falling physical output, the market's value in monetary terms grew to 190.9 M $ US in 2024, partly influenced by rising profitability in some state companies linked to energy price developments.

Production combined ball and roller bearings in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of combined ball and roller bearings has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 123.4 million US dollars, marking a 19.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production fell by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's production volume of combined ball and roller bearings has dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 7 528 tonnes, which is 27.3% lower than in 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 43.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.3%.

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

Exports combined ball and roller bearings from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania exported 657 tonnes of combined ball and roller bearings, reflecting a 14.8% decrease from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 771 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 80.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Russia were the dominant markets for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 82.4% of total flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, combined ball and roller bearings exports from Romania amounted to 9 857 thousand US dollars, showing a solid decline of 10.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 066 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 71.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Russia dominated exports in value terms, accounting together for 83.3% of total flows, while other destinations had smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports combined ball and roller bearings to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of combined ball and roller bearings have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 731 tonnes, representing a 15.1% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -10.5%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 034 tonnes, with the largest decline in 2019 at 16.7% and the largest increase in 2018 at 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea (20.1% of imports in kind), Germany (19.9%), and Italy (14.2%) accounted for the largest share of imports in kind, together comprising 54.2% 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 imports of combined ball and roller bearings have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports came to 12 922 thousand US dollars, amounting to a measured decline of 5.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 15 867 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 14.0% and the largest increase in 2018 at 2.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany (21.3% of imports in value terms), South Korea (20.5%), and France (12.4%) formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, together representing 54.2% 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