Lime market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lime in Romania declined from 775.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 372.5 thousand tons in 2024, experiencing a significant drop in 2020 followed by a partial recovery to 765.8 thousand tons in 2021. Production followed a similar trend, falling from 763.3 thousand tons to 349.8 thousand tons over the period, while import volumes varied, reaching a high of 50.0 thousand tons in 2022 before decreasing.

In 2021, increased fragmentation in adjacent agricultural sectors, such as flowers, may have supported a temporary rise in lime production as more small-scale entrants could have bolstered overall output. However, by 2023, rising operational costs driven by inflation and higher minimum wages in construction likely pressured producers, contributing to the decline in volume to 514.5 thousand tons.

In value terms, the market showed resilience, peaking at 79 225 thousand $ in 2022 due to rising prices, but subsequently fell to 45 536 thousand $ in 2024 as volume contractions outweighed price effects.

Production lime in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's lime production experienced a decline in 2020 after two years of growth. The output value dropped to 53 106 K $ US, marking a 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 19.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 55 654 K $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Romania's lime production declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output falling to 668.6 K t, a significant 11.6% drop year-over-year. The highest production volume was achieved in 2018 at 763.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.4%.

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

Exports lime from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's lime exports declined in 2020. Shipments totaled 11 590 t, down 12.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 200 t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 17.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Hungary dominated Romania's lime export structure by volume. Moldova accounted for 54.7% of exports, Bulgaria for 19.3%, and Hungary for 17.2%. Together, these three countries represented 91.2% of total export flows.

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 lime exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 480 K $ US, a 24.9% rise year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 141.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 34.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, South Africa, and Bulgaria were the main destinations for Romania's lime exports by value. Moldova accounted for 38.8% of export value, South Africa for 22.4%, and Bulgaria for 12.3%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 73.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lime to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's lime imports showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports fell to 18 495 t, a 30.4% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 82.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Italy formed the core of Romania's lime imports by volume. Croatia accounted for 41.5% of imports, Bulgaria for 23.6%, and Italy for 21.2%. Together, these three countries represented 86.3% 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

After two years of growth, Romania's lime import value declined in 2020, dropping to 2 266 K $ US, a 23.3% fall compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 953 K $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 47.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia, Italy, and Bulgaria were the main sources of Romania's lime imports by value. Croatia accounted for 50.5% of import value, Italy for 19.0%, and Bulgaria for 12.9%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 82.4% of total import value.

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

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