Plastic spectacle frames market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic spectacle frames in Romania, measured in value terms, grew steadily from 6 440 thousand $ in 2019 to 10 766 thousand $ in 2024. This period included a sharp 38% expansion in 2021, which lifted the market to 8 973 thousand $, and a phase of stabilization in 2022.

In 2023, the market value increased by 9% to 9 891 thousand $. During this year, Romania began implementing an ordinance for a progressive 5% reduction in single-use plastic products placed on the market, introducing stricter packaging rules and extended producer responsibility for plastic goods, which affected the regulatory environment for plastic frames.

Market growth continued in 2024, with value rising 9% to 10 766 thousand $. A key driver was the application of a December 2022 European Court of Justice decision, which obliged employers to reimburse the cost of prescription glasses for employees working at computer monitors, thereby stimulating demand. Simultaneously, rising raw material and plastic prices in Romania influenced production costs and contributed to the market's value increase.

Production plastic spectacle frames in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's output of plastic spectacle frames was valued at 761.3 K $ US, marking a 27.6% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

Plastic spectacle frames production in Romania rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 50 310 units, showing a solid 23.1% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 34 290 units, which also saw the largest decline of 61.5%.

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

Exports plastic spectacle frames from Romania

Exports in kind, K unit

Plastic spectacle frames exports from Romania dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 15 K units, reflecting a 44.8% decrease from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 52.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 33 K units, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Croatia, and Italy were the top destinations for Romania's plastic spectacle frames exports in kind. Poland accounted for 29.0% of exports, Croatia for 23.2%, and Italy for 14.6%, together making up 66.7% of total export flows.

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 plastic spectacle frames export value fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 111 K $ US, down 59.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 47.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 348 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 63.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Croatia, and the United Kingdom were the main destinations for Romania's plastic spectacle frames exports in value terms. Poland held a 42.1% share, Croatia 13.9%, and the United Kingdom 10.4%, collectively accounting for 66.5% of total export flows.

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 spectacle frames to Romania

Imports in kind, K unit

The volume of plastic spectacle frames imports into Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 723 K units, down 25.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.7%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 1 096 K units, which also recorded the largest increase of 23.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, China, Italy, and Turkey were the leading sources for Romania's plastic spectacle frames imports in kind. China accounted for 65.4% of imports, Italy for 10.4%, and Turkey for 7.1%, together comprising 82.9% of total import flows.

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

Plastic spectacle frames imports into Romania decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports came to 5 860 K $ US, showing a moderate 4.2% decline from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 16.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 6 316 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 26.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, China, and Croatia were the key sources for Romania's plastic spectacle frames imports in value terms. Italy represented 31.2% of imports, China 29.3%, and Croatia 9.0%, together making up 69.5% of total import flows.

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

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