Quicklime market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Romanian quicklime market contracted substantially in physical volume. Production dropped from 650 thousand tons to 287 thousand tons, with a temporary recovery to 648 thousand tons in 2021. The total market size followed a similar downward path, falling from 650 thousand tons to 298 thousand tons over the six-year period.

Imports of quicklime increased significantly, rising from 3 thousand tons in 2018 to 20 thousand tons in 2024. Exports also grew moderately from 3 thousand tons to 9 thousand tons. However, the rise in import volumes was not enough to compensate for the steep decline in domestic output.

In value terms, the market exhibited a different pattern, with the total market value reaching a peak of 64.3 million dollars in 2022, up from 41.9 million dollars in 2018. This was followed by a sharp drop to 33.2 million dollars in 2024, indicating that price movements provided only temporary offset to the underlying volume contraction.

Production quicklime in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's quicklime production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 43 353 thousand US dollars, marking a gradual 6.8% decrease from the previous year. Production had increased by 25.3% between 2017 and 2020, averaging 7.8% annually. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 46 534 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 21.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Quicklime production in Romania fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, Romania produced 552.8 thousand tons of quicklime, reflecting a 13.5% drop from the previous year. The highest output was in 2018 at 650.3 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 19.6%.

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

Exports quicklime from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's quicklime exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 5 342 tons, which is 14.8% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 3 056 tons, when exports fell by 22.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports jumping 52.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Hungary, and South Africa were the main markets for Romania's quicklime exports by volume. Moldova accounted for 63.4% of exports, Hungary for 13.3%, and South Africa for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 89.5% 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

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Romania's quicklime exports reached their highest value in 2020 at 1 837 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2018 at 365 thousand US dollars, resulting in a fivefold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, exports increased by 49.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 10.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 237.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Moldova, and Slovakia were consistently the top destinations for Romania's quicklime exports by value. South Africa accounted for 38.6% of export value, Moldova for 29.6%, and Slovakia for 15.8%. Combined, these three markets made up 84.0% 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 quicklime to Romania

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Romania's quicklime imports peaked in 2019 at 14 150 tons and hit a low in 2018 at 3 107 tons, showing a 4.6-fold variation. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 10 695 tons, representing a significant 24.4% decrease from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 27.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 355.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria and Croatia were the key partners for Romania's quicklime imports by volume, together accounting for 82.9% of total import flows. Other countries made up the remainder.

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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over the period. Imports reached their highest value in 2019 at 1 154 thousand US dollars and their lowest in 2018 at 340 thousand US dollars, with a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, Romania imported quicklime worth 1 154 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 15.6% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 46.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 238.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovakia were the principal sources for Romania's quicklime imports by value. Bulgaria accounted for 40.2% of import value, Croatia for 31.7%, and Slovakia for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 84.1% 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