Woven fabrics of silk and silk waste market in Romania, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for woven silk fabrics experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Market volume in physical terms rose from 6.3 million m² in 2018 to 7.8 million m² in 2019 before contracting sharply to 5.0 million m² in 2020. This pronounced drop coincided with the reported state of the domestic silk industry, which had been largely destroyed after the 1990s with no signs of a major revival or large-scale investments by 2020.

A unique, small-scale traditional operation in Stoenești commune, where a family raises silkworms and hand-weaves fabrics, continued to preserve this nearly extinct craft. The broader textile sector faced documented difficulties in 2021, including cost pressures and vulnerabilities for small firms, which likely affected market conditions.

Following a partial recovery that pushed market volume to 6.7 million m² in 2022, a renewed decline set in, bringing the market down to 4.8 million m² by 2024. In value terms, the market showed more muted fluctuations, reaching a peak of $32.5 million in 2019 and a later increase to $22.0 million in 2023, indicating shifts in product mix or pricing.

Production woven fabrics of silk and silk waste in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 17 337 K $ US, marking a sharp 32.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 32.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 28 385 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m²

In 2020, Romania produced 4 426 K m² of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste, representing a steep 31.8% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 34.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.0%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Exports woven fabrics of silk and silk waste from Romania

Exports in kind, K m²

Romania's exports of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 285 K m², showing a steep 31.0% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.6%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 1 932 K m², which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, Italy accounted for 84.3% of Romania's total exports in kind of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste, while the remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

Romania's exports of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 8 907 K $ US, reflecting a steep 40.3% fall relative to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 23.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 868 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 45.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 91.8% of Romania's total exports in value terms of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste were directed to Italy, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Imports woven fabrics of silk and silk waste to Romania

Imports in kind, K m²

After a two-year uptick, Romania's imports of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste declined. In 2020, imports totalled 1 838 K m², indicating a 42.6% fall compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 203 K m², which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy (37.6% of imports in kind), Czechia (11.3%), and China (9.1%) played the leading roles in Romania's imports of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste, jointly accounting for 58.0% of total 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 a two-year increase, Romania's imports of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste declined. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 11 687 K $ US, showing a dramatic 46.2% reduction versus 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 38.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -14.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 21 710 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (51.4% of imports in value terms), Germany (19.3%), and France (6.2%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Romania's imports of woven fabrics of silk and silk waste, with a combined share of 76.9% 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