Natural sands market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Romanian natural sands market volume expanded from 6.0 million tonnes to 11.6 million tonnes, a 93% increase. This growth was supported by the involvement of the state-owned Administrația Fluvială a Dunării de Jos in managing sand and gravel resources, which improved the organization of legal extraction. Additionally, the launch of extraction operations in the Dunăre – Braț Ostrov area by a company from Vrancea directly added to production volumes. Enhanced controls on illegal mining by national and local authorities further encouraged a shift toward regulated market activity.

After reaching a peak in 2021, the market volume entered a contraction phase, declining to 9.0 million tonnes by 2024. The three-year decrease totaled 23%, with the most significant reduction occurring in 2022. The pace of decline moderated by 2024, indicating a trend toward market stabilization.

Production natural sands in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's natural sands production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 54 692 thousand US dollars, marking a 20.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 55.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Natural sands production in Romania has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, Romania produced 9 362 thousand tonnes of natural sands, representing a robust increase of 15.4% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 59.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 16.8%.

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

Exports natural sands from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a fourfold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Romania exported 220.7 thousand tonnes of natural sands, a steep decrease of 60.3% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 555.3 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 117.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of natural sands from Romania were almost entirely directed to Hungary, which accounted for 98.8% of the total volume.

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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.1 times. In 2020, natural sands deliveries from Romania reached 1 426 thousand US dollars, down by 52.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was 2 997 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 98.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary was the primary buyer of natural sands from Romania, accounting for 88.2% of total exports in value terms, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports natural sands to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Romania's natural sands import volume was 489.1 thousand tonnes, indicating a steep advance of 49.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 68.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.0%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind showed a strong dependence on Bulgaria, which absorbed 91.9% of the total volume.

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

In 2020, Romania's volume of natural sands imports totaled 13 404 thousand US dollars, reflecting a gain of 30.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 56.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.2%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 23.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 56.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of natural sands to Romania were Bulgaria, with 65.0% of imports in value terms, Poland at 5.6%, and the Netherlands at 5.5%. Together, these three countries formed 76.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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