Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The Moldovan market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets grew from 4 107 t in 2018 to 5 232 t in 2020. This expansion was supported by the entry into force of Law No. 296/2017 on general hygiene requirements for food products, which imposed strict conditions on the production, transport, storage, and marketing of sanitary paper goods, raising quality standards. Simultaneously, several domestic producers using recycled paper, such as Salcioara Vascan and Valema-plus, strengthened their positions on the internal market, increasing local output and redirecting supply toward home consumption.

From 2021 onward, market volume gradually declined, reaching 4 671 t in 2023. A key driver was the global surge in tissue paper prices caused by wood and cellulose shortages, which led Kimberly-Clark and other suppliers to raise prices locally, dampening demand. Although central and state institutions made substantial stockpiling purchases in 2022, providing a temporary boost to public-sector demand, overall consumption fell as higher costs affected household spending. Production dropped sharply to 4 120 t in 2023 as manufacturers faced elevated input costs, while exports contracted from 2 430 t in 2021 to 1 246 t in 2023. Preliminary 2024 trade figures indicate imports of 1 951 t and exports of 1 053 t, extending the pattern of growing import volumes and shrinking exports.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

Moldova's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 5 462 tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 000 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8%. In contrast, 2019 marked the largest increase at 9.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets produced in Moldova was 2 180 thousand US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 1.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 2 107 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2 223 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.5%.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Moldova exported 2 187 tonnes of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, marking an uptick of 15.7% from 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 890 tonnes, and the maximum in 2018 at 2 403 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was the key partner for Moldova's exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Moldova in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets exported from Moldova totalled 873 thousand US dollars, up by 13.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 771 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2018 at 1 013 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 23.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, virtually all exports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Moldova were associated with Romania, whose share reached 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Moldova's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 957 tonnes, indicating an abrupt gain of 27.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 40.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Belarus jointly absorbed 87.4% of total imports in kind of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Moldova, with the remaining volume scattered across smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Moldova in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets imported by Moldova reached 1 242 thousand US dollars, constituting a gain of 21.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 41.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 0.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine (49.2% of imports in value terms), Belarus (24.9% of imports in value terms), and Romania (13.0% of imports in value terms) headed the ranking of suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Moldova, with their combined share reaching 87.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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