Iron or steel household articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, import volumes of iron or steel household articles in Romania increased from 12,876 tons to 16,290 tons. This rise occurred alongside a significant, long-term decline in the country's steel production capacity, which fell by 80% over three decades, reducing the domestic supply base for manufacturers. Concurrently, growing steel trade within the EU, particularly increased imports from China and India, made foreign-made household articles more available and competitive on the local market.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market volume in physical terms dropped from 19,620 tons to 14,407 tons in 2022 before a modest recovery to 15,072 tons in 2023. Domestic production fell sharply from 8,965 tons to 4,189 tons over this period, reflecting continued competitive pressure from imports. In value terms, the market also contracted from 76,433 thousand USD in 2021 to 70,322 thousand USD in 2023.

In 2024, import volume surged to 20,836 tons, while exports continued to decline to 4,123 tons. This shift was supported by changing consumer preferences, with Romanians showing greater interest in eco-friendly and natural products, including stainless steel kitchenware. Additionally, hygiene regulations for public catering units, which mandate the use of non-degraded utensils and separate spaces for washing and storage, raised quality standards and likely stimulated demand for steel household articles.

Production iron or steel household articles in Romania

According to Faostat, there is no production of iron or steel household articles in Romania.

Exports iron or steel household articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romanian exports of iron or steel household articles declined in 2020 after two years of growth. The export volume reached 7 283 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10%, which translates to an average annual increase of 3.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 425 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year growth of 6.6% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's export market for iron or steel household articles was highly diversified. The top three destinations—Poland (18.9% of exports), Germany (16.6%), and Hungary (7.3%)—collectively accounted for 42.8% of total export volumes. The remaining 57.2% was distributed among numerous other countries, highlighting the broad partner landscape.

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 exports of iron or steel household articles in value terms grew for the third consecutive year in 2020. The export value reached 39 675 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 13.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 50%, averaging an annual growth rate of 14.5%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Germany (17.3% of export value), Poland (14.3%), and the United Kingdom (9.8%) were significant buyers of Romanian iron or steel household articles, but their combined share of total export value was only 41.3%. This indicates that while these countries played a notable role, they did not dominate the export market.

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

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

Imports iron or steel household articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of iron or steel household articles in volume terms increased for the third year in a row in 2020. The import volume amounted to 16 290 tonnes, up by 14.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 38.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (33.3% of import volume), Turkey (12.6%), and Hungary (8.7%) were the largest sources of iron or steel household articles imported into Romania. Together, these three countries accounted for 54.6% of total import volumes.

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 iron or steel household articles in value terms continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2020. The import value totaled 65 517 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.3% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Romania imported iron or steel household articles from a wide range of countries. Even the top three suppliers—China, Turkey, and Germany—collectively represented only 46.3% of total import value, underscoring the diversity of the import market.

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

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