Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Romanian market for plastic bottles and similar articles was valued at $194.9 million. It grew to $199.7 million in 2019 as the Official Monitor published first labeling rules and the country adopted EU directives on single-use plastics, prompting producer preparation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted raw material supply chains and reduced economic activity in 2020, causing the market to contract to $188.5 million.

From 2021, companies actively adapted to tightening regulations. Coca-Cola Romania launched its first attached-cap bottle prototype in Spain, and by 2022 transitioned brands like Fuzetea and Cappy to attached caps domestically. Government ordinance OG 6/2021, effective from July 3, 2024, mandated that plastic caps remain attached during use. The Deposit Return Scheme expanded to plastic bottles on November 30, 2023, increasing recycling transparency. Furthermore, Law no. 150/2025 set a requirement for PET bottles up to 3 liters to contain at least 25% recycled plastic from 2025, spurring investment in production upgrades and new materials like bioplastics.

Consequently, production recovered and reached $179.0 million in 2024, while the overall market size grew to $212.5 million. This expansion was supported by industry-wide adaptation to environmental standards and the introduction of innovative products.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's production of plastic bottles and similar articles was valued at 139.0 million US dollars, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 146.9 million US dollars, which represented a 10.3% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania exported 14 259 tonnes of plastic bottles and similar articles, marking a 22.1% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 27.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.2% drop, while 2018 recorded the highest increase at 24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland remained the primary destinations for Romania's plastic bottle exports by volume. Hungary accounted for 30.5% of exports, Bulgaria for 16.1%, and Poland for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 58.1% of Romania's total export volume in this category.

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

Romania's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles reached 33 706 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 6.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 30.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 36 015 thousand US dollars, which represented a substantial 39.9% increase. In contrast, 2019 saw a decline of 12.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Greece formed the core markets for Romania's plastic bottle exports by value. Hungary accounted for 30.8% of export value, Bulgaria for 14.0%, and Greece for 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.6% of Romania's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania imported approximately 39 635 tonnes of plastic bottles and similar articles in 2020, a 7.0% decrease from 2019, following two consecutive years of growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 38.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 616 tonnes, which represented a 24.8% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Germany were the main suppliers of plastic bottles and similar articles to Romania by volume. Hungary accounted for 42.8% of imports, Bulgaria for 13.8%, and Germany for 7.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 63.9% of Romania's total import volume in this category.

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 imported 83 177 thousand US dollars worth of plastic bottles and similar articles in 2020, a 10.5% decrease from 2019, ending a two-year upward trend. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 33.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 92 925 thousand US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 35.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Germany were the primary sources of Romania's plastic bottle imports by value. Hungary accounted for 32.5% of import value, Bulgaria for 11.1%, and Germany for 8.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.8% of Romania's total import value in this sector.

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

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