Cotton yarn excluding sewing thread market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Romanian cotton yarn market was characterized by a steady presence of established producers such as Românofir, which held a strong position in export markets. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered global supply chain disruptions, pushing up cotton prices and raising production costs for local manufacturers.

Despite these cost pressures, market volume grew from 5 612 t in 2020 to 7 372 t in 2022. This expansion coincided with Românofir continuing its production of 100% cotton and polyester-blend yarns, while global cotton prices soared to decade highs due to sustained textile demand and transport bottlenecks.

From 2023 onward, the market faced additional headwinds. Maintenance work at key power plants, unfavorable weather conditions affecting energy supply, and high inflation—reaching 13.80%—drove up operational expenses. By 2024, market volume had declined to 5 512 t as producers adapted by focusing on cost efficiency and operational optimization.

Production cotton yarn in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports cotton yarn from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports reached 468 tonnes, but by 2020 they had dropped to 386 tonnes, marking a 17.5% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 496 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Hungary, Italy, and Germany—collectively accounted for 61.9% of Romania's total cotton yarn exports by volume, excluding sewing thread.

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, the value of Romania's cotton yarn exports, excluding sewing thread, totaled 4 361 thousand US dollars, up 12.6% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 12.6%, averaging a 4.4% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 872 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 5 592 thousand US dollars. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 30.8% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Norway were the top destinations for Romania's cotton yarn exports by value, excluding sewing thread. Italy led with 22.9% of exports, followed by Germany at 20.1%, and Norway at 12.0%. Together, these three countries made up 55.0% 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 cotton yarn to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 5 621 tonnes, down 3.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.7%, with an average annual rate of decline of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Germany were the main sources of Romania's cotton yarn imports by volume, excluding sewing thread. Italy accounted for 20.0% of imports, Turkey for 19.9%, and Germany for 17.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 57.6% 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

Romania's imports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, declined for the second year in a row in value terms. In 2020, imports stood at 26 882 thousand US dollars, a slight 2.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 19.4%, with an average annual decline of 7.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 33 527 thousand US dollars, while the largest decrease was in 2019 at 17.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 0.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Turkey were the leading sources for Romania's cotton yarn imports by value, excluding sewing thread. Together, these three markets accounted for 66.5% 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