Pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Romanian market for pebbles, gravel, and crushed stone grew substantially, with volume increasing from 30 880 thousand tons to 49 479 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by the activity of state-owned companies like the National Railway Company CFR, which required specific crushed stone for railway ballasting, and by private investments in quarry modernization to meet technical standards for road and rail infrastructure. Government-backed infrastructure projects further boosted demand for high-performance aggregates, supporting growth even as the COVID-19 pandemic introduced supply-chain disruptions in 2020.

Market volume saw a slight decrease to 48 967 thousand tons in 2021, influenced by the lingering effects of the pandemic and the implementation of stricter quality regulations for aggregates. Growth resumed in 2022, with volume reaching 52 163 thousand tons, propelled by major infrastructure initiatives financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and rising prices for construction materials. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 52 865 thousand tons, while the market value continued its upward trend to 336.9 million USD, reflecting sustained demand and higher cost structures.

Production aggregates grade pebbles, gravel, crushed stone in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 233.8 million US dollars, marking a significant gain of 18.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 88.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Romania's production of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 50 642 thousand tonnes were produced, representing an advance of 11.4% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 70.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.4%.

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

Exports aggregates grade pebbles, gravel, crushed stone from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.7 times. In 2020, Romania's exports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone were recorded at 1 560 thousand tonnes, down by 34.8% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 853 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 165.6% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary remained the dominant partner for Romania's exports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone in kind, accounting for 75.8% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller destinations.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export volumes bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.6 times. In 2020, Romania's exports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone totalled 11 467 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 33.7% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 20 290 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 262.5% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary consistently accounted for 79.6% of Romania's total exports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remainder was shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports aggregates grade pebbles, gravel, crushed stone to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Romania's imports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 397 thousand tonnes, marking an uptick of 15.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 19%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 255 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 23.5% occurring in that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 34.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria absorbed 84.1% of Romania's total imports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone in kind, with the balance spread across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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 imports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone from abroad have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 4 543 thousand US dollars, up by 12.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 36.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 200 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 3.6% occurring in that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 26.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the primary direction for Romania's imports in value terms, accounting for 87.7% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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