Soil cultivation machinery including harrows scarifiers cultivators weeders and hoes market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

In the late 2010s, the Romanian soil cultivation machinery market was supported by local manufacturers like IRUM, which finalized type certification for its new TAGRO tractor and doubled its net profit in 2018. European funds and agricultural loans stimulated machinery investments. However, in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and temporarily halted production, slashing imports to 39.8 million USD and shrinking the market size to 30.7 million USD.

The market rebounded in 2021, with the market volume rising to 39.2 million USD, fueled by growing demand for higher-horsepower tractors (200-250 HP) due to land consolidation and investments in digital technologies. Imports surged to 62.3 million USD in 2022 as the European Green Deal heightened focus on sustainable soil cultivation and digitalization systems like Horsch Connect entered the Romanian market.

Market volume continued to expand in 2023, reaching 43.8 million USD, before plummeting by 33% to 29.4 million USD in 2024. This sharp decline was driven by drought and reduced farmer purchasing power, which cut machinery sales revenue by 27%. During this period, major players such as Proinvest and CLAAS expanded their distribution and service networks, while new regulations were introduced for agricultural machinery operators.

Production soil cultivation machinery in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

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

Exports soil cultivation machinery from Romania

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2019, Romania's exports of soil cultivation machinery, including harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders, and hoes, reached their lowest point at 3.0 thousand units, marking a 10.9% decline. However, in 2020, deliveries rebounded sharply to 4.6 thousand units, representing a significant 55.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 39.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the distribution of Romania's exports in kind was quite dispersed. Italy accounted for 19.6% of exports, Hungary for 14.9%, and Moldova for 8.9%. Together, these three countries made up 43.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant during this period.

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 2019, Romania's exports of soil cultivation machinery, including harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders, and hoes, experienced their largest decline of 4.8%. The following year, in 2020, exports rose to 19 312 thousand US dollars, a modest increase of 2.6% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 19 774 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy led Romania's export structure in value terms with a 28.9% share, followed by Russia at 19.0% and Germany at 9.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 57.2% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports soil cultivation machinery to Romania

Imports in kind, K unit

Romania's imports of foreign soil cultivation machinery, including harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders, and hoes, continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 123.3 thousand units, showing a slight year-on-year gain of 0.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 28.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the primary supplier of soil cultivation machinery, including harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders, and hoes, to Romania, capturing 85.7% of total imports in kind. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

Romania's import volume of soil cultivation machinery, including harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders, and hoes, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 39 847 thousand US dollars, a substantial 23.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 52 193 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.2%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.3%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Germany was the leading source in the geographical breakdown of Romania's imports in value terms for soil cultivation machinery, including harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders, and hoes, with a 23.6% share. Hungary followed at 15.4%, and Bulgaria at 14.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.7% 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