Plastic ornamental articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic ornamental articles in Romania showed significant volume fluctuations from 2018 to 2024. In physical terms, market volume fell from 3 003 t in 2018 to 2 082 t in 2020, then recovered to 2 613 t in 2021. In value terms, the market grew from $8.6 million in 2018 to $14.6 million in 2023, indicating a rise in average prices or a shift toward higher-value products.

Starting in 2021, the market began to be influenced by new regulation aimed at reducing single-use plastics. The adoption of Government Ordinance no. 6/2021 introduced gradual targets to cut the quantities of single-use plastic products placed on the market and extended producer responsibility. This regulatory pressure coincided with a decline in market volume in physical terms in 2022 and 2023, when volume dropped to 2 295 t and stabilized at 2 249 t respectively. However, in value terms the market continued to expand, reaching $13.1 million in 2022 and $14.6 million in 2023, likely reflecting increased producer costs due to the new requirements or a move toward more valuable items.

In 2024, market volume in physical terms rose to 2 556 t, a 13.6% increase from the previous year, while market value decreased to $13.5 million. This volume growth occurred alongside a sharp rise in the number of local ornamental article producers – from just over 3 000 firms in 2021 to more than 10 000 in 2024 – as well as the entry of new players into the modern retail market, which broadened product accessibility. At the same time, new requirements such as the mandatory attachment of caps to plastic products from July 2024 and the full implementation of extended producer responsibility came into force, which may have contributed to the lower average value through heightened competition and changes in product mix.

Production plastic ornamental articles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of plastic ornamental articles declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 619.3 thousand US dollars, down 2.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 3.5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's production of plastic ornamental articles decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 159.1 tonnes, a 13.5% drop compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production declined by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.9%.

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

Exports plastic ornamental articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania exported 109 tonnes of plastic ornamental articles in 2020, showing a notable 13.5% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 3%, averaging an annual rise of 1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 96 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 130 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, down 26.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2018, up 23.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary were the top buyers of plastic ornamental articles from Romania, accounting for 24.1%, 16.9%, and 16.2% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 57.2% of Romania's 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

Romania's exports of plastic ornamental articles in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 041 thousand US dollars, a gradual decrease of 4.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 13.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 700 thousand US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2019, down 35.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 41.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany were the leading destinations for Romania's plastic ornamental articles exports in value terms, with shares of 26.9%, 17.6%, and 14.9%, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 59.5% of total export 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 plastic ornamental articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of plastic ornamental articles in volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 2 031 tonnes, a significant 18.2% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.2%, averaging an annual growth of 2.7%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 2 943 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 56.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, China, Poland, and France were the main suppliers of plastic ornamental articles to Romania in volume terms, accounting for 49.3%, 21.4%, and 9.6% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 80.4% 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

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of plastic ornamental articles in value terms declined. In 2020, imports reached 9 317 thousand US dollars, down 7.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 027 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 27.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Poland, and Germany remained the primary suppliers of plastic ornamental articles to Romania in value terms, with shares of 46.6%, 17.0%, and 8.3%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.9% of total import value.

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

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