Printing, writing and drawing inks market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for printing, writing and drawing inks in Romania increased from 6.7 thousand tons to 7.4 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the expansion of local printing services, such as ISPOT INTERACTIV SRL, which accessed new domestic and European clients and extended its sublimation and screen printing capacities. Concurrently, the inkjet printer market saw rapid growth, with Epson reporting a 20% sales increase in 2018, stimulating ink demand. The adoption of new digital printing technologies, including the launch of the high-capacity Xerox Iridesse production press in 2020, further consolidated ink consumption for advanced graphic and packaging applications.

After peaking in 2020, market volume gradually contracted to 6.8 thousand tons by 2023, while market value continued rising to 67.7 million US dollars in 2023. This shift reflected a move toward higher-quality and original inks, driven by international testing standards like ISO/IEC and growing consumer preference for sustainable, high-performance supplies. The development of digital printing and personalization services in local centers, equipped with modern machinery, supported this value-oriented trend, emphasizing durability and print quality over volume.

In 2024, market volume rebounded to 7.5 thousand tons, and value surged to 80.2 million US dollars. This recovery aligns with the ongoing expansion of inkjet printing applications, including 3D, biomedical, and electronic printing, which have broadened the demand base. Continued interest in original ink cartridges from major manufacturers and the growth of refillable, eco-friendly systems further underpinned the market's expansion in both volume and value terms.

Production printing, writing and drawing inks in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of printing, writing, and drawing inks has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 575.4 K $ US, marking a notable 16.3% rise compared to 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production grew by 42.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 12.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Printing, writing, and drawing inks production in Romania has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, Romania produced 131.7 t of these inks, up by 16.2% from 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production increased by 52.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1%.

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

Exports printing, writing and drawing inks from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of printing, writing, and drawing inks from Romania totaled 572 t, reflecting a modest 4.5% decrease from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 599 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 75.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Italy, and Moldova were the main destinations for Romania's exports in kind. Hungary accounted for 49.2% of exports, Italy for 17.5%, and Moldova for 12.6%, together making up 79.3% of total 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

After a two-year uptick, Romania's exports of printing, writing, and drawing inks declined. In 2020, exports totaled 4 050 K $ US, showing a dramatic 28.0% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 35.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 623 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 56.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Italy, and Moldova consistently led in the country structure of Romania's exports in value terms. Hungary represented 26.4% of exports, Italy 16.6%, and Moldova 14.4%, jointly accounting for 57.3% of total 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 printing, writing and drawing inks to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of printing, writing, and drawing inks have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported 7 884 t of these inks, indicating a substantial 10.3% year-over-year advance. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.2%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 4.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Italy, and Greece formed the core of Romania's imports in kind. Germany accounted for 39.1% of imports, Italy for 13.4%, and Greece for 8.2%, together taking 60.8% of total 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

In 2020, Romania's imports of printing, writing, and drawing inks amounted to 57 404 K $ US, representing a solid 17.4% gain over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 32.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 19.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of printing, writing, and drawing inks to Romania were spread across many countries. Germany led with 28.0% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 10.2% and Italy at 9.1%, jointly accounting for 47.3% of total flows.

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

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