Slaked market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The slaked market in Romania saw a gradual increase from 108.3 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 111.0 thousand tons in 2020. This initial growth period was supported by the entry of multinational companies into the Romanian market, which expanded production capacity and intensified competition.

From 2021, the market entered a contraction phase, with volume falling to 104.3 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by rising fertilizer prices resulting from global crises and higher energy costs, which reduced demand from the agricultural sector—a key consumer of slaked lime for soil treatment.

The downward trend accelerated sharply in 2023 and 2024, with market volume plummeting to 60.1 thousand tons. Energy sector challenges, including drought-induced reductions in hydropower output and increased reliance on energy imports, raised production costs significantly, further suppressing market activity.

Production slaked in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's slaked lime production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 9,753 thousand US dollars, up 6.9% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8,517 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 7.1% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Romania produced 115.8 thousand tonnes of slaked lime, marking a slight drop of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production was in 2018 at 113.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 3.2% rise.

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

Exports slaked from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Slaked lime exports from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 5,458 tonnes, a drop of 9.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 7,336 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was primarily shaped by Moldova and Bulgaria, which together accounted for 93.3% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

In 2020, cross-border shipments of slaked lime from Romania reached 578.5 thousand US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 577.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.5%. The highest value was in 2018 at 716.9 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 15.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Moldova and Bulgaria clearly dominated exports in value terms of slaked lime from Romania, jointly accounting for 90.6% of total flows, whereas other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports slaked to Romania

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. In 2020, Romania imported 659 tonnes of slaked lime, reflecting an uptick of 76.8% year-on-year. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 373 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 86.0%. The highest imports were in 2018 at 2,666 tonnes, resulting in a 7.1-fold gap between the highest and lowest years.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Italy was the dominant destination for imports in kind of slaked lime to Romania, accounting for 86.5% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among a number of smaller markets.

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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2020, slaked lime shipments to Romania from abroad stood at 154.1 thousand US dollars, representing an intense increase of 62.1% from a year earlier. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 95.0 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 66.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 287.1 thousand US dollars, with imports varying by 3 times between the high and low points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was strongly concentrated on Italy and Czechia, which together took 83.9% of total flows, with other partners forming a residual tail.

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

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