Men's knitted outerwear market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for men's knitted outerwear experienced significant fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2024. After a slight contraction to 1 076 thousand units in 2019, market volume surged by 42% to 1 530 thousand units in 2020, accompanied by a rise in market value to nearly 12 million USD.

Market volume receded to 1 342 thousand units in 2021 but rebounded strongly the following year, reaching 1 491 thousand units in 2022. This growth coincided with prominent fashion trends for the 2022/2023 autumn-winter season, which featured a comeback of après-ski styles, puffer jackets, and Y2K-inspired leather coats, stimulating consumer demand. The market value more than doubled in 2022, reflecting these shifts, before volume dipped again in 2023 to 1 307 thousand units while value remained stable.

In 2024, the market volume recovered to 1 387 thousand units. The implementation of the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) from July 2024 began reshaping the industry, imposing new rules on sustainability, durability, and a ban on destroying unsold clothing, which affected inventory management. Concurrently, the domestic premium men's wear segment continued to expand, and the number of firms in the textile industry grew, though local production covered only a small part of demand.

Production men's knitted outerwear in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's men's knitted outerwear production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 9 008 thousand US dollars, marking a 2.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 45.7%, with an average annual decline of 18.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

After two years of decline, Romania's men's knitted outerwear production volume increased in 2020. Output reached 494.0 thousand units, up 2.7% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 18.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 481.2 thousand units, which saw the largest decline of 15.9%.

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

Exports men's knitted outerwear from Romania

Exports in kind, K unit

Men's knitted outerwear exports from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad reached 531 thousand units, down 19.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 15%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 739 thousand units, which also saw the largest increase of 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, Italy, and France were consistently the main destinations for Romania's men's knitted outerwear exports in volume terms. Ireland accounted for 60.3% of exports, Italy for 14.0%, and France for 8.9%, together making up 83.2% of total 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

Men's knitted outerwear exports from Romania declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value amounted to 10 038 thousand US dollars, showing a significant reduction of 22.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 562 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 31.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, Italy, and Germany were the primary markets for Romania's men's knitted outerwear exports in value terms. Ireland accounted for 53.2% of exports, Italy for 22.1%, and Germany for 6.8%, together representing 82.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports men's knitted outerwear to Romania

Imports in kind, K unit

Romania imported 1 567 thousand units of men's knitted outerwear in 2020, reflecting a 24.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 36.4%, with an average annual increase of 10.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, men's knitted outerwear imports to Romania came from many different markets. Even the largest suppliers—Turkey, Poland, and China—together accounted for only 47.3% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Foreign supplies of men's knitted outerwear to Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 10 038 thousand US dollars, showing a modest fall of 7.8% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth of 10.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 14 392 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 47.5%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Spain accounted for 13.3% of imports, Poland for 13.0%, and Germany for 12.1%, jointly making up only 38.4% of total flows. The remaining 61.6% was spread across numerous 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