Particle board of wood market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Romanian particle board market expanded from 587 thousand m³ to 753 thousand m³. This growth was supported by easier market entry for new producers and capacity expansions by major players like Kronospan. Advances in wood processing technologies and improved resin formulations enhanced product quality, while the EN 312:2010 density and strength standards raised manufacturing benchmarks. Stricter formaldehyde emission rules in Germany, effective from January 2020, prompted Romanian exporters to invest in cleaner production processes. Additionally, rising demand for energy-efficient and ecological materials in construction and furniture boosted domestic consumption.

From 2022, the market faced a sharp contraction, dropping to 686 thousand m³ in 2022 and further to 571 thousand m³ in 2023. A severe wood crisis, coupled with price caps on firewood under OUG 134/2022, constrained raw material availability and drove up production costs. High utility and labor expenses compounded the pressure, reducing industrial output and lifting market prices. The impending EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation added compliance burdens. In 2024, partial recovery to 606 thousand m³ occurred as large firms continued investing in technology to meet evolving formaldehyde and wood-traceability requirements, and Asian demand for hardwood indirectly influenced feedstock dynamics.

Production particle board of wood in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's particle board production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 364.3 million US dollars, down 3.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9.1%, with an annualized decline of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 433.8 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 13.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 8.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania was one of the world's top producers of particle board, ranking 17th globally by production volume.

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

World map of production of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

Romania's particle board production decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 1 330 thousand cubic meters were produced, a 3.3% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 4.5%, with an annualized decrease of 1.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 431 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline was in 2019, at 3.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports particle board of wood from Romania

Exports in kind, K m³

Romania exported 896.5 thousand cubic meters of particle board in 2020, showing only minor year-over-year changes. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 7.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 979.3 thousand cubic meters. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 8.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's particle board exports were distributed across many countries. China, Serbia, and Hungary were the top destinations, accounting for 14.5%, 11.1%, and 9.9% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they made up just 35.6% of total flows, with no single partner dominating the market.

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's particle board exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 223.1 million US dollars, down 6.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.1%, with an annualized decline of 3.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 271.2 million US dollars. The largest drop was in 2019, at 12.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 8.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's particle board exports had a diverse range of buyers. China, Serbia, and Poland were the leading markets, contributing 16.4%, 10.4%, and 8.5% of export value, respectively. Combined, they accounted for only 35.2% of total exports, with many other countries holding smaller but notable 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 particle board of wood to Romania

Imports in kind, K m³

Romania's particle board imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 223.3 thousand cubic meters, up 17.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 12.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 135.7 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 31.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 40.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Romania sourced particle board from many different markets. The top suppliers—Austria, Ukraine, and Hungary—together represented only 49.7% of total imports in volume, indicating a fragmented supply base.

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

In 2020, Romania's particle board imports were valued at 56.8 million US dollars, down slightly by 1.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 46.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 57.5 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018, at 13.0%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, at 23.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Poland, and Ukraine were the main suppliers of particle board to Romania, accounting for 32.1%, 12.5%, and 12.1% of import value, respectively. Together, they made up 56.7% 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