Women's woven dresses market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for women's woven dresses experienced significant shifts. The enactment of Law No. 178/2018, which reinforced gender equality in employment and access to goods, alongside women owning about 25% of Romanian businesses, fostered female entrepreneurship in fashion and contributed to the market's growth to 9.5 million pieces in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 then disrupted consumer behavior and supply chains, leading to a sharp contraction to 7.3 million pieces.

A recovery unfolded in 2021 and 2022, with volume climbing to 8.5 million pieces. This rebound was aided by the continued strength of women-led businesses, which reported nearly double the net profit rate, and the 2022 launch of the Bravva Angels community that increased investment in female-founded fashion startups. Charitable fashion events and new domestic brands promoting femininity also energized the segment. Despite these developments and growing female corporate leadership reinforced by EU directives, the market volume fell to 6.9 million pieces in 2023.

In 2024, the market stabilized at around 6.8 million pieces. This coincided with data showing companies with female or mixed ownership generating 40.2% of total profit and achieving a 15% revenue increase, highlighting the sustained economic influence of women in business, including the apparel sector.

Production women's woven dresses in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of women's woven dresses has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 146.1 million US dollars, marking a 34.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 50.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 21.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Romania's production of women's woven dresses has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 9 098 thousand units were produced, representing a 38.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 57%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.5%.

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

Exports women's woven dresses from Romania

Exports in kind, K unit

Romania's exports of women's woven dresses have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 7 939 thousand units, which is 39.6% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 51.8%, equating to an annualized decrease of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Romania's exports of women's woven dresses in kind were the United Kingdom, accounting for 66.7% of exports, Italy with 10.2%, and Spain at 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented 82.6% 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 women's woven dresses declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 124.8 million US dollars, reflecting a 33.0% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 39%, with an annualized rate of 15.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 208.4 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 1.8% that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest share of Romania's exports in value terms went to the United Kingdom at 45.8%, Italy at 15.7%, and France at 9.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 71.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports women's woven dresses to Romania

Imports in kind, K unit

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of women's woven dresses declined. In 2020, imports totaled 6 138 thousand units, down by 20.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 78%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.2%. The highest level was reached in 2019 with 7 737 thousand units, following the largest increase of 57.5% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of women's woven dresses to Romania in kind were Turkey with 21.7% of imports, Poland at 19.9%, and Moldova at 19.5%. Together, these three countries formed 61.1% of total 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, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Romania's imports of women's woven dresses declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 70.4 million US dollars, marking a 14.0% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 58.1%, with an annualized rate of 16.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 81.9 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 45.6% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of Romania's imports in value terms was dispersed. Poland accounted for 18.3% of imports, Spain for 14.5%, and Moldova for 13.1%. Together, these three countries formed just 45.9% of total flows, with the remaining 54.1% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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