Cotton sewing thread market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian cotton sewing thread market between 2018 and 2024 experienced notable changes in trade, with imports falling from 248.5 t to 131.3 t by 2020 before recovering to 202.0 t in 2022. Exports followed a similar declining trend, dropping from 93.2 t in 2018 to 49.7 t in 2022. Throughout this period, the domestic market was heavily influenced by the state-owned producer ROMÂNOFIR, which held a dominant share of over 55%.

Market volume grew from 158.4 t in 2019 to 205.3 t in 2022, supported by rising imports, but contracted slightly to 200.0 t in 2023 as domestic production fell sharply from 53.0 t to 38.0 t. In value terms, the market reached $3.0 million in 2022, up from $2.2 million in 2019, before declining to $2.3 million in 2023.

The market's trade balance shifted, with import values peaking at $2.8 million in 2022 and export values showing volatility, reaching $1.5 million in 2024. Production value also dropped from $1.2 million in 2022 to $893 thousand in 2023, reflecting the overall contraction in domestic output.

Production cotton sewing thread in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

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

Exports cotton sewing thread from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of cotton sewing thread declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 65.2 tonnes, which represents a 10.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, exports actually grew by 16.8% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The peak year was 2018, when exports reached 93.2 tonnes. That year also saw the largest increase of 67.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Hungary were Romania's primary markets for cotton sewing thread exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 34.0% of exports, Bulgaria for 20.8%, and Hungary for 12.5%. Together, these three countries made up 67.3% of Romania's total exports in this category.

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

Romania's cotton sewing thread exports in value terms also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 961 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 20.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.4% in total, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 615 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 55.7%. The most significant decline happened in 2019, with a 25.7% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Canada, and Bulgaria remained the top buyers of Romanian cotton sewing thread in value terms. The Netherlands held a 36.3% share of exports, Canada 24.1%, and Bulgaria 11.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 72.3% of Romania's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports cotton sewing thread to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of cotton sewing thread in volume terms declined for the third year running. In 2020, imports totaled 131.3 tonnes, reflecting a significant 24.5% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 48.3% overall, with an average annual decline of 19.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy, the United Kingdom, and India were the leading sources for Romania's cotton sewing thread imports in volume terms. Italy supplied 53.5% of imports, the United Kingdom 15.1%, and India 9.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.7% of Romania's total import volume in this category.

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 cotton sewing thread in value terms decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1 933 thousand US dollars, down 14.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 28.7% in total, equating to an annualized rate of -10.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 926 thousand US dollars, which also saw an 8.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, India, and Turkey were the key partners for Romania's cotton sewing thread imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 62.1% of imports, India for 9.2%, and Turkey for 7.3%. Combined, these three countries made up 78.5% of Romania's total import value in this sector.

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

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