Silk yarn market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Romania's silk yarn production was supported by a base of several hundred silkworm growers and ongoing European funding initiatives, such as the SAPARD grant requested by Sericulum Ideea Bacău for facility modernization and mulberry plantation expansion. Production fell from 79 839 thousand USD in 2018 to 76 060 thousand USD in 2019 and then sharply to 45 487 thousand USD in 2020. Despite the production contraction, the domestic market size grew from 8 598 thousand USD in 2018 to 9 303 thousand USD in 2020, after a slight dip to 8 234 thousand USD in 2019, as reduced exports outweighed lower output.

Following 2020, silk yarn imports rose notably, reaching 11 771 thousand USD in 2023 before easing to 7 091 thousand USD in 2024. Exports recovered from the 2020 low, peaking at 89 391 thousand USD in 2023 and then declining to 81 336 thousand USD in 2024. The sericulture sector remained active with several hundred growers, and European funding continued to be sought for modernization, as seen in the case of Sericulum Ideea Bacău.

Production silk yarn in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Silk yarn production in Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 45 487 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp contraction of 40.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 40.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 79 839 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's silk yarn production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 618 tonnes of silk yarn were produced, indicating a dramatic drop of 44.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 48.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.8%.

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

Exports silk yarn from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania exported 624 tonnes of silk yarn in 2020, reflecting a dramatic drop of 40.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 43%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the almost exclusive buyer of silk yarn from Romania, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

Cross-border shipments of silk yarn from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 43 329 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decline of 42.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 40.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 78 706 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy concentrated almost all exports in value terms of silk yarn from Romania, with a share of 100.0% 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 silk yarn to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, silk yarn shipments to Romania from abroad declined. In 2020, imports totalled 120 tonnes, down by 30.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 172 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 44.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy and Belgium were the core markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 98.4% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

After a two-year fall, foreign silk yarn supplies to Romania increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 7 145 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight gain of 2.0% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 003 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy acted as the main outlet for silk yarn to Romania, consistently absorbing 93.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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