Uncoated sulphite wrapping paper market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for uncoated sulphite wrapping paper underwent structural changes beginning in 2018 when DS Smith acquired local producers EcoPack and EcoPaper, consolidating domestic packaging paper capacity. Imports rose to 1 085 t in 2019 but fell sharply to 694 t in 2020 as the industry faced rising production costs following the removal of electricity price caps and broader market instability. A recovery took hold in 2021, with imports climbing to 946 t, largely driven by new EU environmental regulations that boosted demand for paper-based packaging.

From 2022 to 2024, the total market volume expanded from 786 t to 1 129 t. This growth occurred despite the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, which raised costs and contributed to a decline in domestic production from 175 t in 2022 to 151 t in 2024. Key drivers included sustained demand for paper packaging, particularly in e‑commerce and retail, alongside significant new production investments such as the launch of Eastern Europe's first waxed paper plant in Iași in 2023 and a €75 million kraft paper factory announced for Giurgiu in 2024. Stringent EU rules on recyclable packaging, including the forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), further stimulated market activity by favoring paper alternatives to plastic.

Production uncoated sulphite wrapping paper in Romania

According to Faostat, there is no production of uncoated sulphite wrapping paper in Romania.

Exports uncoated sulphite wrapping paper from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed out in 2020 at 4 tonnes, representing a sharp 88.8% drop from the previous year. In contrast, exports peaked in 2019 at 39 tonnes, marking the largest annual increase of 164.7%. The difference between these peak and trough years was substantial, with 2019 exports being 8.9 times higher than in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Ukraine, and France formed the main cluster of markets for exports in kind. Italy accounted for 35.7% of exports, Ukraine for 21.9%, and France for 21.2%. Together, these three countries represented 78.8% of total export flows 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

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 at 11 thousand US dollars, which was a sudden 78.5% decline compared to the previous year. The peak occurred in 2019 at 52 thousand US dollars, showing the largest annual increase of 103.6%. The swing between these years was significant, with 2019 values being 4.7 times higher than in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Ukraine, and France accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms. Italy represented 24.1% of exports, Ukraine 20.1%, and France 18.2%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 62.4% of total export flows during this four-year 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 uncoated sulphite wrapping paper to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's imports of uncoated sulphite wrapping paper stood at 694 tonnes, marking a sharp 36.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 53.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 22.5%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 41.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 23.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Italy, Germany, and Czechia—together absorbed 83.3% of Romania's total imports in kind of uncoated sulphite wrapping paper.

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 uncoated sulphite wrapping paper in value terms amounted to 888 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a dramatic 36.6% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 49.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 20.3%. The largest annual increase during this period was recorded in 2019 at 16.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Germany, and Czechia remained the leading destinations in Romania's import structure in value terms. Italy accounted for 39.4% of imports, Germany for 24.8%, and Czechia for 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 81.5% 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