Glass mirrors market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for glass mirrors, including rear-view mirrors, expanded significantly from 2018 to 2024, with its value more than tripling from 22.5 million US dollars to 69.7 million. After a minor contraction in 2019 to 20.6 million, the market entered a sustained growth phase, accelerating sharply in 2024 with a 40% year-on-year increase.

This growth was primarily fueled by a steady rise in imports, which climbed from 39.1 million US dollars in 2018 to 81.3 million in 2024. Meanwhile, domestic production halved from 2.2 million to 1.0 million over the same period, and exports fell from 18.8 million to 12.7 million. The increasing reliance on imported mirrors offset the drop in local output and shrinking exports, leading to net market expansion.

By 2024, the market reached its peak value, underscoring a structural shift toward imported products. The consistent annual growth from 2020 onward highlights the market's dependence on foreign supply chains for glass mirrors in Romania.

Production glass mirrors in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's glass mirror production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 226 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.5% year-on-year decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45.6%, with an average annual decline of 18.4%.

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

Exports glass mirrors from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's glass mirror exports amounted to 3 532 tonnes, showing a modest 6.3% year-on-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.6%, which translates to an average annual drop of 2.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 399 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.0% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 10.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's glass mirror export structure was diversified. Germany accounted for 27.7% of exports in kind, France for 9.7%, and Russia for 8.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 45.9% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

Glass mirror shipments from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 16 481 thousand US dollars, down 10.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 6.2%, averaging an annual decrease of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 847 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the largest buyer of Romanian glass mirrors in value terms, accounting for 22.4% of exports, followed by Germany at 13.0% and France at 8.4%. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 43.8% of total export value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports glass mirrors to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 17 199 tonnes of glass mirrors, a sharp 25.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 30.4%, with an average annual rise of 9.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with an 8.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading source for Romania's glass mirror imports in kind, accounting for 30.6% of the total, followed by Bulgaria at 26.4% and Germany at 8.3%. Together, these three partners represented 65.3% 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, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's glass mirror imports reached 43 858 thousand US dollars, a significant 16.5% year-on-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 69.6%, averaging an annual growth of 19.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.8% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 51.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia was the top source for Romania's glass mirror imports in value terms, accounting for 20.0%, followed by Hungary at 18.8% and China at 15.4%. These three countries together made up 54.2% of total import flows.

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

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