Prefabricated buildings market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for prefabricated buildings was shaped from 2018 by strong EU funding for building renovations and a rising trend towards sustainable, modular construction methods, which supported demand. This contributed to a market size of $733.5 million in 2019, though it contracted to $638.2 million the following year.

Market volume recovered to $776.6 million in 2021. In subsequent years, import values grew steadily to $73.0 million by 2024, while exports remained elevated. The expansion of prefabricated and modular construction technologies accelerated, driven in part by major investment projects launched under the national recovery plan (PNRR). These developments occurred alongside significant cost pressures, including sharp increases in prices for steel and cement and a rise in VAT to 9% for new housing, which influenced overall market dynamics.

Throughout the period, continued emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability further stimulated interest in prefabricated building solutions, aligning with broader industry shifts towards faster and more resource-efficient construction.

Production prefabricated buildings in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's output of prefabricated buildings was valued at 644.9 million US dollars, marking a 16.7% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

Exports prefabricated buildings from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of prefabricated buildings in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 38,799 tonnes, reflecting a significant drop of 13.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 46,131 tonnes, with the largest annual increase also occurring in 2018 at 23.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for Romania's prefabricated building exports in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 43.3% of exports, France for 17.0%, and the Netherlands for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 69.5% 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 exports of prefabricated buildings in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 65,415 thousand US dollars, down by 12.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 3.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 82,175 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase also in 2018 at 29.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Sweden, France, and Germany were the leading buyers of prefabricated buildings from Romania in value terms. Sweden held a 41.0% share of exports, France 18.2%, and Germany 6.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 65.8% 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 prefabricated buildings to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of prefabricated buildings in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 13,573 tonnes, down by 4.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 77.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.2%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 13,573 tonnes, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 39.7%.

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

The country composition of Romania's imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Italy accounted for 15.4% of imports, Germany for 12.7%, and Hungary for 12.0%. Together, these three countries made up just 40.1% of total import flows, with the remaining 59.9% distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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 prefabricated buildings in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 58,747 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 72.7% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 175.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 40.2%.

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

The market base for Romania's imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Turkey accounted for 19.4% of imports, Italy for 15.9%, and Germany for 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.3% of total import flows, while the remaining 50.7% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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