Spectacles and goggles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Early in the period, growing consumer interest in photochromic lenses and advanced coatings like anti-UV and polarization enhanced the value proposition of eyewear. The market volume grew steadily from 22.2 million US dollars in 2019 to 27.5 million in 2021. This increase was supported by the rise of online sales channels, which improved accessibility, and the introduction of new product segments such as digital protection glasses for frequent screen users. Design trends favoring geometric frames and customization also stimulated retail demand.

A pivotal shift occurred in late 2022 when the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Romanian employers must provide or reimburse specialized glasses for employees using monitors. This, along with rising demand for industrial safety goggles, created a new corporate demand stream. Coupled with ongoing fashion trends in frames and sustained interest in blue-light filtering lenses, this regulatory driver propelled the market to a peak of 33.2 million US dollars in 2023.

In 2024, the market adjusted slightly to 31.9 million US dollars. The government solidified the legal framework by publishing detailed implementation rules for the employer reimbursement scheme, ensuring a structured source of corporate-driven demand for the future.

Production spectacles and goggles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's output of spectacles and goggles was valued at 4,854 thousand US dollars, marking a significant decline of 14.3% compared to the previous year.

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

Exports spectacles and goggles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's exports of spectacles and goggles declined in 2020, reaching 132.1 tonnes, down 17.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 31.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 9.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 160.7 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 49.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, France, and Hungary were the main destinations for Romania's spectacles and goggles exports in kind, accounting for 70.5% of the total. Austria led with 47.7% of exports, followed by France at 13.9% and Hungary at 8.9%.

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

Following two years of growth, Romania's exports of spectacles and goggles in value terms declined in 2020, reaching 10,619 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 10.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 32.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 11,828 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 27.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, France, and Bulgaria were the primary destinations for Romania's spectacles and goggles exports in value terms, collectively representing 75.5% of the total. Austria accounted for 59.8% of exports, France for 10.7%, and Bulgaria for 5.0%.

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

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

Imports spectacles and goggles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 834.7 tonnes of spectacles and goggles, a decrease of 12.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 577.6 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 953.1 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 65.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Bulgaria, and Germany were the top contributors to Romania's imports of spectacles and goggles in kind, jointly accounting for 57.1% of total imports. China led with 27.9%, followed by Bulgaria at 18.3% and Germany at 10.9%.

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 imports of spectacles and goggles in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 28,834 thousand US dollars, up 1.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and China were the leading sources for Romania's imports of spectacles and goggles in value terms, together making up 53.4% of total imports. Italy accounted for 21.9%, Germany for 17.1%, and China for 14.3%.

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

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