Sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages experienced moderate growth in 2018 and 2019, with market volume reaching around 1 950 million liters, supported by a near doubling of bottling companies since 2010 to over 800 firms and the emergence of new segments like vitamin-enhanced drinks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp decline, with market volume dropping to 1 649 million liters due to restrictions on consumption and distribution.

Following the pandemic, the market began to recover but faced rising production and transport costs alongside inflation. The removal of pandemic restrictions in 2022 boosted consumption, while the functional and vitamin drink segment grew by over 40%, stimulating market activity. During this period, a VAT increase for sugary beverages from 9% to 19% was announced, set to take effect in 2023.

In 2023, despite the VAT hike and high cost inflation, market volume rose to 2 149 million liters, partly driven by continued growth in functional beverages and consumer adaptation, with buyers becoming more price-conscious but maintaining quality standards. By 2024, market volume slightly decreased to 2 060 million liters, while market value continued to climb due to price increases.

Production sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 826 million US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 19.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 027 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Romania's production volume of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages dropped after two years of gains. In 2020, 1 655 million litres were produced, representing an 18.1% decline from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%. The highest volume was achieved in 2019 at 2 020 million litres, and the biggest annual rise was in 2018 at 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages from Romania

Exports in kind, M l

Romania's exports of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages fell after two years of increases. In 2020, exports totalled 201.4 million litres, a solid decrease of 13.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 233.2 million litres, which also saw the largest annual increase of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia were the top contributors to Romania's exports in volume terms. Greece accounted for 28.4% of exports, Bulgaria for 26.4%, and Serbia for 13.5%, together making up 68.4% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Romania's exports of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports amounted to 89.7 million US dollars, a strong drop of 10.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 25%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 100.1 million US dollars, and the largest annual rise was in 2018 at 25.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia remained the principal buyers of Romania's sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages in value terms. Bulgaria accounted for 29.3% of exports, Greece for 24.6%, and Serbia for 13.3%, jointly representing 67.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages to Romania

Imports in kind, M l

Romania's imports of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 194.6 million litres, up 11.0% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 68.7%, with an annualized rate of 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Austria consistently served as the main sources for Romania's imports in volume terms. Hungary contributed 29.6% of imports, Poland 19.2%, and Austria 9.0%, together accounting for 57.7% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Romania's imports of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value totalled 152.4 million US dollars, a 9.4% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 72.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 20.0%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Hungary, Austria, and Poland were the key markets for Romania's imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 29.9% of imports, Austria for 12.8%, and Poland for 11.5%, collectively making up 54.2% 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