Wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards and pallet collars market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars reached 8.3 million units in 2018. It then surged by 41% to 11.7 million units in 2019. The following year, the mandatory introduction of the SUMAL 2.0 traceability system for wood materials increased administrative burdens for operators, contributing to a market contraction to 10.1 million units in 2020.

Market volume continued to decline, falling to 8.5 million units in 2021. By 2023, it had decreased further to 7.3 million units, a 14.5% drop from 2021. This downturn was driven by a sharp, approximately 30% production decline in the wood industry due to high raw material prices, administrative restrictions, and a shortage of wood as the state forestry company RNP - Romsilva reduced volumes offered to the market. Additionally, damage from bark beetles hindered the supply of quality raw material for pallets. During this period, significant plant closures occurred, such as the sawmill in Rădăuți, while three major Austrian companies strengthened their dominant position in the wood processing sector with substantial investments.

In 2024, the market recovered to 8.3 million units, a 13.5% increase. This rebound was likely supported by an excess supply of firewood, which lowered raw material costs after the 2022-2023 crisis. Simultaneously, efforts in pallet recycling and reuse gained momentum, enhancing market sustainability. Furthermore, the new NP 005-2022 technical norm for wooden constructions, published in 2023, facilitated the development of timber building, potentially indirectly supporting demand for wood materials including pallets.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 40 288 K $ US, showing a modest decrease of 4.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Romania's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 6 880 K units were produced, representing a gradual decrease of 4.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7 785 K units. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Romania

Exports in kind, K unit

Exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars from Romania have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 132 K units, which is 10.3% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 14%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 668 K units, with the largest increase of 28.7% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Austria, and Bulgaria were the top contributors to Romania's exports in kind. Italy accounted for 24.8% of exports, Austria for 18.2%, and Bulgaria for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 54.7% 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, K $ US

Exports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars from Romania have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 29 563 K $ US worth of these products, down by 5.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 33 592 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Austria, and Hungary accounted for the largest share of Romania's exports in value terms. Italy contributed 23.7% of exports, Austria 15.6%, and Hungary 11.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up 50.4% 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 wooden pallets and load boards to Romania

Imports in kind, K unit

The import market for wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars in Romania showed significant volatility during this period. Import levels fluctuated by 1.9 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, imports totaled 7 373 K units, marking a drop of 19.3% from the previous year. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 138 K units, with the largest increase of 75.1% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary were the key partners for Romania's imports in kind of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars. Bulgaria accounted for 29.5% of imports, Germany for 13.9%, and Hungary for 11.3%. Together, these three countries represented 54.7% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars into Romania declined. In 2020, imports totaled 42 556 K $ US, showing a drop of 14.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 67.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 49 567 K $ US, with the largest increase of 45.7% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany accounted for the largest share of Romania's imports in value terms. Bulgaria contributed 22.6% of imports, Hungary 16.0%, and Germany 15.6%. Collectively, these three countries made 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