Mineral and aerated waters market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for mineral and aerated waters grew from 2 070 million liters in 2018 to 2 129 million liters by 2020. This expansion was supported by the approval of an official list of recognized natural mineral waters, which helped formalize the market, and a €11 million investment by Coca-Cola HBC Romania in a new bottling line to increase production capacity. Furthermore, rising consumer interest in natural carbonated mineral waters led to greater product diversification, stimulating consumption.

Market volume continued to increase, reaching 2 257 million liters in 2022. During this period, public discussions about water quality and consumption advisories regarding high sodium content influenced consumer awareness but did not reverse the overall growth trend.

The market peaked at 2 346 million liters in 2023, coinciding with the publication of an updated list of recognized mineral waters and ongoing exploration activities by the Societatea Națională a Apelor Minerale to identify new natural spring sources, aimed at expanding the resource base for bottling. In 2024, the market experienced a slight correction, declining marginally to 2 332 million liters.

Production mineral and aerated waters in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's mineral and aerated waters production value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 428.6 million US dollars, marking a moderate 5.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 453.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Romania's mineral and aerated waters production volume increased following two years of decline. In 2020, 2 106 million liters were produced, representing a moderate 3.8% uptick compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 028 million liters, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports mineral and aerated waters from Romania

Exports in kind, K l

Romania's mineral and aerated waters export volumes declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports reached 30 675 thousand liters, showing a 3.4% reduction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 41.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 31 766 thousand liters, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 28.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the main destinations for Romania's mineral and aerated waters exports by volume. Moldova accounted for 43.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 23.3%, and the United States for 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 73.9% 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 mineral and aerated waters export value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 174 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 4.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 57.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 565 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 40.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Moldova, and the United States consistently remained the main destinations for Romania's mineral and aerated waters exports by value. The United Kingdom accounted for 27.9% of exports, Moldova for 27.7%, and the United States for 11.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 67.2% of total export 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 mineral and aerated waters to Romania

Imports in kind, K l

Romania's mineral and aerated waters import volumes declined after two years of increase. In 2020, imports reached 53 613 thousand liters, indicating a gradual 9.2% year-over-year fall. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 59 048 thousand liters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary remained the primary source for Romania's mineral and aerated waters imports by volume, accounting for 71.9% of total imports. Other destinations contributed significantly less to 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

Romania's mineral and aerated waters import value declined after two years of increase. In 2020, imports amounted to 11 160 thousand US dollars, marking a 13.6% fall compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 923 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, France, and Italy made the biggest contributions to Romania's mineral and aerated waters imports by value. Hungary accounted for 42.2% of imports, France for 22.6%, and Italy for 18.9%. Together, these three countries represented 83.8% of total import flows.

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

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