Roundwood coniferous market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian coniferous roundwood market started at 7.1 million m³ in 2018 but contracted to 6.4 million m³ the following year. A sharp rebound occurred in 2020, with volume jumping to 9.1 million m³. This growth coincided with the implementation of Government Decision 497/2020, which established rules for the origin, circulation, and marketing of timber, including storage and processing facilities for roundwood, likely enhancing market transparency and legality.

Market volume stabilized near 9.2 million m³ in 2021, supported by continued consumer preference for roundwood houses and cabins due to their thermal efficiency and design, with new projects launched in several counties. A subsequent decline to 7.4 million m³ in 2022 followed amendments to the wood marketing norms via Government Decision 512/2022, which introduced new rules for storage and processing and banned the issuance of timber transport documents at the harvest site, affecting trade flows. The market further contracted to 6.9 million m³ in 2023, pressured by rising prices and supply chain disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Production coniferous roundwood in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 7 472 K m³ of roundwood coniferous, marking a 40.2% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 41.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 12.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of roundwood coniferous in Romania was valued at 1 220 M $ US, up by 23.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 65.3%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 18.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 38.9%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Romania

Exports in kind, K m³

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 8 K m³ and peaked in 2020 at 23 K m³, showing a 2.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, roundwood coniferous exports from Romania surged by 101.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a decrease of 60.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Romania's roundwood coniferous exports in kind, accounting for 79.4% of total flows, while other countries held significantly smaller shares.

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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their minimum in 2018 at 1 381 K $ US and reached their maximum in 2020 at 3 707 K $ US, with a 2.7-fold variation between these years. In 2020, exported roundwood coniferous volumes from Romania increased by 77.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 51.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Romania's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms were largely concentrated on China, which accounted for 74.2% of total flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports coniferous roundwood to Romania

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year decrease, roundwood coniferous imports into Romania increased. In 2020, imports stood at 1 684 K m³, representing a 59.1% uptick from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 43.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 058 K m³, with the largest decline that year at 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Czechia, Slovakia, and Belarus—together accounted for 60.2% of total roundwood coniferous imports in kind to Romania.

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, roundwood coniferous imports into Romania stood at 99 145 K $ US, up by 55.4% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017–2020, imports increased by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 63 788 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred that year with a drop of 26.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia (24.4% of imports in value terms), Slovakia (17.8%), and Belarus (14.9%) consistently remained the main destinations for Romania's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms, together accounting for 57.0% 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