Wood in the rough market in Romania, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian wood market experienced a slight decline in 2019 to 10 980 thousand tons, influenced by administrative blockages and a reduction in the volume of timber supplied to the market by the state forest manager RNP – Romsilva. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing significant supply chain disruptions in 2020, the market volume grew sharply to 12 853 thousand tons that year.

Market size stabilized at 13 082 thousand tons in 2021. The formal launch of the SUMAL 2.0 wood traceability system in February created temporary procedural obstacles for small owners, while RNP – Romsilva continued to restrict the volume of timber available. In 2022, the market contracted to 12 299 thousand tons, impacted by the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine which disrupted supplies, and by a government decree capping firewood prices, which led to market shortages and boosted illicit trade.

The downward trend continued in 2023 as the market fell to 11 138 thousand tons. This was driven by a further 2% decline in harvested wood volume, persistent administrative bottlenecks that limited legal exploitation, and reduced aggregate demand both domestically and internationally.

Production wood in the rough in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

Romania produced 11 732 K t of wood in the rough in 2020, marking a significant 14.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.0%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's exports of wood in the rough increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 112 K t, showing a moderate year-over-year rise of 7.4%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 83 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 21.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 25.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Bulgaria, and Turkey were the primary destinations for Romania's wood in the rough exports in kind. China accounted for 55.6% of exports, Bulgaria for 11.3%, and Turkey for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented 74.1% 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

In 2020, Romania's cross-border shipments of wood in the rough were valued at 27.9 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 51.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms grew by 24.2%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18.4 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.1% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Germany remained the leading destinations for Romania's wood in the rough exports in value terms. China held a 60.4% share, Turkey 7.8%, and Germany 7.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 75.8% 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 wood in the rough to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, Romania's imports of wood in the rough increased in 2020. Imports reached 1 234 K t, showing an abrupt 55.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 796 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 21.4% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Belarus, and Ukraine were the key partners for Romania's wood in the rough imports in kind. Czechia accounted for 26.1% of imports, Belarus for 17.2%, and Ukraine for 14.5%. Together, these three countries made up 57.8% 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

In 2020, Romania's wood in the rough imports totaled 107.1 M $ US, reflecting a 32.5% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms increased by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 80.9 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Slovakia, and Belarus continued to be the main suppliers of wood in the rough to Romania in value terms. Czechia held a 20.4% share, Slovakia 16.4%, and Belarus 14.3%. Jointly, these three countries formed 51.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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