Winches and capstans market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of the winches and capstans market in Romania expanded from 18 774 units in 2019 to 31 974 units in 2024. This growth was supported by sustained infrastructure development and demand for lifting equipment. In 2022, the new truck market, which often incorporates winches, grew by 20%, while a key player like DEME Macarale invested in fleet renewal and service expansion for cranes and related machinery. Subsequent demand from road, rail, and green energy construction projects continued to drive the market.

In value terms, the market contracted from 25.7 million USD in 2019 to 1.5 million USD in 2024, primarily due to a sharp rise in exports, which surged from 2.5 million USD to 31.2 million USD over the same period. This export growth indicates strengthened international competitiveness for Romanian-produced equipment. By 2024, legislative changes aimed at streamlining road transport control indirectly affected the lifting equipment sector, while reports noted that state-owned companies faced declining profitability, potentially influencing domestic investment capacity.

Imports remained a significant supply source, increasing in physical volume throughout the period. The market also saw continued activity from major service providers, and projects like the 2023 restoration of the Brăila clock tower highlighted the diverse applications for winches and cranes in heritage and infrastructure work.

Production winches and capstans in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Romania's winch and capstan production was valued at 24 158 K $ US, showing little to no change compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, production increased by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

In 2019, Romania produced 999 units of winches and capstans, with no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, production decreased by 23.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.5%.

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

Exports winches and capstans from Romania

Exports in kind, unit

Winch and capstan exports from Romania increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 858 units, up 9.7% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 21.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 617 units, marking the largest decline of 43.3% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 26.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's winch and capstan exports in kind were highly diversified. Germany accounted for 24.8% of exports, Canada for 13.1%, and Thailand for 11.6%, together making up 49.5% of total flows. The remaining 50.5% came from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.3-fold fluctuation between these extremes. In 2020, Romania's winch and capstan export value stood at 9 382 K $ US, a 275.8% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 42.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania exported winches and capstans to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Turkey, Russia, and the Netherlands—together represented only 41.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports winches and capstans to Romania

Imports in kind, unit

After two years of growth, Romania's winch and capstan imports declined in 2020, amounting to 17 864 units, a gradual decrease of 3.7% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 17.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 557 units, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—China, Bulgaria, and Germany—together accounted for 68.7% of Romania's total winch and capstan imports in kind.

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 an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Romania's winch and capstan import value totaled 8 350 K $ US, a 105.7% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 059 K $ US, and the maximum in 2018 at 11 708 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 65.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's partner portfolio for winch and capstan imports in value terms was quite broad. Italy accounted for 22.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 13.7%, and Serbia for 10.2%, together representing 46.7% of total flows.

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

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