Fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fork-lift and other works trucks in Romania experienced significant volatility between 2020 and 2024. Market volume expanded from 33 805 units in 2020 to a peak of 49 895 units in 2022, fueled by a surge in imports which reached 47 229 units that year. This growth phase was preceded by earlier signals of market dynamism, such as the notable expansion of rental fleet operator ROLIFT SRL in 2018, which doubled its turnover and grew its rental fleet by 50%, indicating rising demand for material handling services.

Following a sharp contraction to 38 681 units in 2023, the market stabilized and grew slightly to 39 993 units in 2024. This recovery was supported by the ongoing expansion of e-commerce and the need to optimize supply chains, which sustained demand for modern warehouse equipment. Concurrently, the launch of new product lines, including the Linde 1251 series of electric trucks by ELMAS and the Series 12 compact wheeled loaders by the Mecalac group, refreshed the available offerings and encouraged fleet renewal with more efficient and lower-emission models.

The operational landscape for equipment was also shaped in 2024 by updated regulations covering vehicle homologation, mandatory ISCIR authorizations for forklifts, and amendments to the road traffic code, which clarified the technical and legal framework for their use on public roads.

Production fork-lift and works trucks in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

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

Exports fork-lift and works trucks from Romania

Exports in kind, unit

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was reached in 2019, with the peak being 3.3 times greater than the trough. In 2020, Romania exported 3 648 units of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment, marking a significant decline of 19.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was achieved in 2019 at 4 542 units. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth rate of 135.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Bulgaria were the core destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 33.7%, 15.2%, and 11.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 60.8% of all export flows.

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 demonstrated volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was seen in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, showing a 20-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Romania's exports of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment amounted to 43.7 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp decrease of 42.3% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 77.4 million US dollars. The largest increase took place in 2018, with a growth rate of 1 865.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, France, and Bulgaria led as the top buyers of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment from Romania in value terms, with shares of 28.3%, 16.6%, and 8.8%, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 53.7% 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 fork-lift and works trucks to Romania

Imports in kind, unit

In 2020, Romania imported 31 249 units of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment, indicating a modest contraction of 3.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The maximum volume was reached in 2018 at 32 434 units. The largest increase was observed in 2018, with a rise of 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Vietnam remained the primary sources for imports in kind of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment to Romania, with shares of 18.2%, 17.1%, and 15.7%, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 51.0% of total import 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, M $ US

The volume of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment imports to Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 110.8 million US dollars, representing a gradual drop of 9.4% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 131.1 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 37.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, three key markets—Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom—collectively accounted for 57.5% of total imports in value terms of fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment to Romania.

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

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