Knitted T-shirts and vests market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for knitted T-shirts and vests grew to 67 million pieces in 2019, but then contracted to 55 million in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced temporary store closures and reduced consumer demand. Prior to the pandemic, the market faced structural shifts as Fabrica Țesătura (Iașitex) neared bankruptcy, weakening local production capacity, while established players like Romanita invested in expanding output for export and new entrants focused on offering customized products.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 saw the market volume rebound sharply to 71 million pieces, supported by a significant expansion in the number of active firms in the textile and apparel sector, which exceeded 3,000 companies. This broadening of the production base helped sustain market growth, with volume reaching 76 million pieces in 2022 before a slight moderation to 73 million in 2023.

In 2024, the market expanded strongly to 88 million pieces, a 21% increase from the previous year. This surge coincided with the number of active firms in the sector accelerating past 10,000, indicating rapid market expansion. New European regulations, including the General Product Safety Regulation effective from December 13, 2024, and an updated RO e-Transport system for monitoring high-fiscal-risk goods, introduced stricter compliance requirements. Simultaneously, the launch of new collections for events like Euro 2024 and growing consumer preference for personalized, handmade, and locally designed items stimulated demand.

Production knitted T-shirts and vests in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of knitted T-shirts and vests, measured in monetary terms, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 57 552 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 5.6% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The peak was in 2018, with a value of 71 746 thousand US dollars, when production surged by 21.6%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 15.1% decline.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Romania's production volume of knitted T-shirts and vests fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 8 138 thousand units were produced, representing a significant 21.1% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 128 thousand units, which saw a 13.3% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 21.4% drop.

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

Exports knitted T-shirts and vests from Romania

Exports in kind, K unit

Romania's exports of knitted T-shirts and vests, in terms of volume, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 14 961 thousand units, down by 29.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 25 081 thousand units, which experienced a 3.0% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Hungary were the main buyers of knitted T-shirts and vests from Romania, accounting for 65.0% of total exports in volume. Italy led with 32.5%, followed by Germany at 21.7%, and Hungary at 10.8%.

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

After two years of growth, Romania's exports of knitted T-shirts and vests, in value terms, declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 69.5 million US dollars, showing a sharp 32.6% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 27.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 10.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 103.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.4% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and France dominated Romania's exports of knitted T-shirts and vests in value terms, together making up 75.0% of the total. Italy accounted for 47.4%, Germany for 19.2%, and France for 8.5%.

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

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

Imports knitted T-shirts and vests to Romania

Imports in kind, K unit

Following two years of growth, Romania's imports of knitted T-shirts and vests, in volume, declined. In 2020, imports stood at 62 096 thousand units, reflecting a 20.0% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 77 669 thousand units, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 24.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Turkey, and Germany were the leading sources for Romania's imports of knitted T-shirts and vests in volume, together representing 56.5% of total flows. Poland accounted for 25.0%, Turkey for 16.4%, and Germany for 15.2%.

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

After two years of increase, Romania's imports of knitted T-shirts and vests, in value terms, declined. In 2020, imports were approximately 201.0 million US dollars, showing a slight 2.8% fall from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 32.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The highest value was in 2019 at 206.7 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 23.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of Romania's imports of knitted T-shirts and vests in value terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Poland, Germany, and Italy were the top partners, jointly accounting for 43.0% of total flows, with Poland at 19.7%, Germany at 13.3%, and Italy at 10.0%. Many other countries made up the remaining 57.0%.

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

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