According to a new report by DSV Road, the automotive, FMCG, healthcare, tech & electronics, and fashion industries dominated Romania’s import-export activities.
“Despite the market challenges, the most active sectors remained relatively stable compared to last year. The automotive sector led the way with a 25% increase in demand for transportation services from DSV Road’s portfolio. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) generated 20% of total transportation solutions, matching the healthcare, technology, and electronics sectors, while the fashion industry accounted for a 15% share,” said Daniel Babii, Business Development Director at DSV Road, commenting on the report.
Additionally, DSV Road’s data indicates an upward trend in the agriculture sector, marked by increased exports of cereals, vegetables, fruit, and agricultural machinery in the early months of the year. Here, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary emerged as the primary destinations for Romania’s road freight shipments.
On the other hand, the report adds that Romania is grappling with a trade deficit, importing more goods and services than it exports across various industries.
The National Statistics Institute’s latest figures show that Romania’s exports rose by 0.8% to €31.288 billion in the first four months of 2024, while imports increased by 1.7% to €40.609 billion compared to the same period last year.
On the plus side, DSV Road reported a 22% rise in export activity in the first two months of 2024 compared to 2023. This surge is attributed to the growth of manufacturing in Romania, especially in the automotive and electronics sectors, driven by international firms.
DSV Road states that the expansion of Romania’s highway network and the quality of its products have been factors in boosting the country’s exports.
“Romania holds significant potential for goods transportation. Extending motorways by up to 2000 km could lead to a 38% industry growth and subsequently enhance trade between Romania and EU countries. We are currently witnessing moderate transport growth, supported by an increasing number of customers and the development of sectors such as e-commerce and automotive, where volumes are rising. Groupage transport remains the most popular service, but intermodal transport is the fastest-growing due to lower costs and companies’ preference for environmentally friendly methods,” added Babii.