Granite building stone market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The granite building stone market in Romania experienced strong growth from 2018 to 2019, with volume rising from 1.2 million tons to 1.6 million tons. This expansion was primarily driven by increasing demand in the construction sector, fueled by major public investments in road and railway infrastructure using national and European funds. The entry of new players into the construction materials market further amplified production and consumption.

Market volume then contracted to 1.5 million tons in 2022 and slightly to 1.4 million tons in 2023. The decline was shaped by supply chain disruptions and soaring production costs following the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated by sharp increases in raw material and energy prices after the war in Ukraine. A significant 20.6% drop in construction permits for residential projects in 2023 directly reduced building activity, while persistent local administrative hurdles delayed new developments.

A robust recovery followed in 2024, with market volume surging to over 2 million tons. This turnaround was powered by massive injections of European and national investment into infrastructure and construction projects. Concurrent growth in new housing builds and an intensification of maintenance and renovation works created substantial demand for granite building stone.

Production granite building stone in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Romania's granite building stone output was valued at 7 071 K $ US, marking a sharp increase of 32.8% compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2019, Romania produced 1 617 K t of granite building stone, representing a 32.7% rise from the year before.

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

Exports granite building stone from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's granite building stone exports fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled just 1 t, a dramatic 90.2% drop year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 99.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -79.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy remained the primary destination for Romania's granite building stone exports in kind, accounting for 78.3% of the total, while other markets played a much smaller role.

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 granite building stone exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.5 K $ US, a steep 93.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 99.7%, with an annualized rate of -85.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's granite building stone exports in value were heavily concentrated on Italy, which made up 87.4% of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports granite building stone to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported about 1 313 t of granite building stone, a modest 5.3% reduction from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 981 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 386 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.9%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 41.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for Romania's granite building stone imports in kind were Italy (65.4% of imports), China (10.1%), and India (9.4%), together accounting for 84.9% 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

In 2020, Romania's granite building stone imports totaled 883.8 K $ US, a slight 2.7% decrease from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.4%, with an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 563.9 K $ US, and the highest was in 2019 at 908.3 K $ US. The largest drop was in 2018 at 29.5%, while the biggest rise was in 2019 at 61.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Poland together accounted for 83.4% of Romania's granite building stone imports in value terms, with the rest distributed among smaller markets.

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

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