Packing containers of paper or paperboard market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard packing containers in Romania grew from 9 886 t in 2018 to 12 737 t in 2020. This expansion occurred alongside an increase in the packaging recycling rate to 66% and the presence of major domestic and international producers with significant capacity.

A sharp contraction to 9 125 t in 2021 was primarily driven by a raw material crisis that constrained product availability and raised production costs. The market rebounded strongly to 12 260 t in 2022 as sales of cardboard and paper packaging surpassed plastic for the first time, a shift fueled by the EU directive banning single-use plastics and rising consumer demand for sustainable solutions.

Moderate growth to 12 806 t in 2023 reflected increased demand for protective packaging from e-commerce, even as broader goods consumption moderated. The market then surged to 16 764 t in 2024, supported by the sustained preference for sustainable paper and board packaging and companies' focus on resilient, customized packaging solutions to optimize costs.

Production packing containers of paper or paperboard in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Romania's production of paper or paperboard packing containers increased in value. In 2020, output was valued at 14 931 K $ US, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 66.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -30.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 898 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 62.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Production peaked in 2017 and reached its lowest point in 2019, with a 10.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania produced 7 433 t of paper or paperboard packing containers, marking a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 043 t, and the largest decline took place in 2018, falling by 88.5%.

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

Exports packing containers of paper or paperboard from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania exported 640 t of paper or paperboard packing containers, representing a sharp uptick of 213.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 204 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 47.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Moldova were the top buyers of paper or paperboard packing containers from Romania in terms of volume. Italy accounted for 28.4% of exports in kind, Turkey for 22.3%, and Moldova for 10.3%, together comprising 61.0% of total exports in kind.

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

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated, with the low in 2019 and the high in 2020, showing a 3.9-fold difference. In 2020, Romania's exports of paper or paperboard packing containers amounted to 2 855 K $ US, a dramatic rise of 286.6% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 739 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 43.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, Hungary, and Turkey were the main buyers of paper or paperboard packing containers from Romania in value terms. Italy led with 56.5% of exports in value, followed by Hungary at 8.9% and Turkey at 7.6%, together accounting for 72.9% of total exports in 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 packing containers of paper or paperboard to Romania

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Romania imported 5 944 t of paper or paperboard packing containers, equivalent to a sharp increase of 79.5% versus the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 676 t, the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 39.6%, and the largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 97.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Italy were the main sources of paper or paperboard packing containers imported into Romania in terms of volume. Germany accounted for 42.4% of imports in kind, Hungary for 11.8%, and Italy for 11.0%, together absorbing 65.2% of total imports in kind.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, showing a 3.8-fold shift. In 2020, Romania imported 19 647 K $ US of paper or paperboard packing containers, reflecting an advance of 65.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 145 K $ US, the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 41.0%, and the largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 130.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Italy formed the main cluster of markets for imports of paper or paperboard packing containers into Romania in value terms. Germany led with 42.5% of imports in value, followed by Poland at 10.0% and Italy at 9.7%, together comprising 62.2% 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