Paper and paperboard packing and office articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Romanian market for paper and paperboard packing and office articles contracted in volume from 465.5 thousand tonnes to 439.8 thousand tonnes, with a slight stabilization in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for small cardboard packaging for home deliveries, supporting market volume, while rising electricity and gas prices alongside pressure on wood raw materials began to elevate production costs.

New EU environmental regulations phasing out polluting packaging significantly drove sales of paper-based packaging from 2021. The entry of new investors expanded product variety and market reach, and inflation further stimulated demand for corrugated cardboard. By 2022, consumer preferences shifted markedly from plastic to cardboard, exemplified by INATECH Packaging reporting its cardboard packaging sales surpassed plastic for the first time, fostering partnerships for innovative solutions and growing interest in personalised packaging.

The market's evolution toward sustainability was reinforced by pilot projects for collecting beverage and dairy cartons in Bucharest and Brașov and a national recycling target of 65% by 2025. Import and export flows remained active throughout the period, indicating continued integration into European supply chains.

Production paper and paperboard packing and office articles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 492.5 million US dollars, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 510.3 million US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 3.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Romania's production volume of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles increased. In 2020, 424.8 thousand tonnes were produced, marking a slight improvement of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 23.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 421.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.2%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard packing and office articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's export volume of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles reached 80 374 tonnes, representing a 3.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 27.9%, with an annualized rate of 8.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 80 668 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 3.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Romania's exports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles. Hungary accounted for 19.4% of exports in volume, Bulgaria for 16.6%, and France for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 47.9% of total exports, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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, M $ US

Romania exported 121.5 million US dollars worth of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles in 2020, up 1.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 122.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 20.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France was the largest buyer of Romania's paper and paperboard packaging and office articles in value terms, accounting for 15.9% of exports. Hungary followed with 12.7%, and Bulgaria with 12.6%. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 41.2% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard packing and office articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles reached 95 378 tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.2%, with an annualized rate of 2.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 96 667 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 1.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary was the leading source for Romania's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles in volume, accounting for 21.6%. Italy followed with 18.4%, and Germany with 16.7%. Together, these three countries represented 56.7% of total imports.

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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles declined. In 2020, imports totaled 234.9 million US dollars, down 1.7% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 238.9 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany was the key source for Romania's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles in value terms, accounting for 20.9%. Poland followed with 15.8%, and Italy with 15.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 52.1% of total imports.

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

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