Romania Road Freight Transport - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Romania aims to increase corn production to 30 million tons by 2027, boosting the market's growth

• In June 2024, Romania's government unveiled a USD 480 million initiative to bolster its manufacturing sector. This scheme emphasizes critical areas like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and waste management, aiming for economic diversification. Notably, Bucharest is excluded from receiving any funding to ensure balanced growth across the country. Moreover, Dacia and Ford Motor Company produced 292,378 cars in Romania in the first six months of 2024, an 8.6% increase from the 269,088 units produced in the same period in 2023. Dacia produced 169,998 units, while Ford produced 122,380. The rise in automotive manufacturing drove the demand for components and materials and fueled the need for road freight transport.
• Romania has the potential to produce 30 million tons of corn annually from two million hectares after the completion of the rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure in 2027. Currently, the country produces only 8.5 million tons of corn, which is less than a quarter of the projected future output. The irrigation rehabilitation program includes 162 facilities, with 31 already operational on 581,000 hectares. These initiatives, which aim to maximize the corn output, are expected to boost the growth of the end-user segment.

Romania Road Freight Transport Market Trends

Rising infrastructure initiatives boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributions from the transport and storage sector

• In September 2024, the Government unveiled a plan, allocating a budget of USD 8.38 billion to enhance the nation's transport infrastructure. This initiative is a key component of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The budget allocated USD 5.02 billion for rail system upgrades and USD 3.36 billion for road and highway enhancements. Thanks to the NRRP program, Romania has successfully constructed new highways and bridges, boosting the GDP contribution from the transport and storage sector.
• In June 2024, Romanian state railway Căile Ferate Române (CFR) invited bids for contracts totaling USD 1.07 billion, to upgrade two sections of the Craiova - Drobeta Turnu Severin - Caransebeş main line. The first contract, valued at USD 0.54 billion, involves design and construction on a 41.6 km stretch from Drobeta Turnu Severin to Băile Herculane. This work includes a year allocated for design and must be completed by 2030. The second contract, covering a 32.6 km stretch from Băile Herculane to Po Poarta, is valued at USD 0.53 billion and also spans the same six-year period. The upgrade of the 225.3 km Craiova - Caransebeş main line will allow trains to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h. Such initiatives are expected to boost sector contribution to GDP.

In 2024, diesel fuel prices in Romania surpassed those of gasoline for the first time

• As of August 2024, Europe experienced a surge in diesel imports from the Middle East, with large oil tankers unloading diesel typically reserved for crude oil. This shift was more about shipping logistics than demand changes. Diesel prices dropped below gasoline, particularly in Romania, where diesel was once the pricier fuel due to insufficient domestic refinery capacity. Recent price shifts contributed to this trend. Following OMV Petrom S.A.'s price adjustments in August 2024, Standard gasoline at the their gas station on Brașov Street in Bucharest was priced at 1.63 USD/liter, while Standard diesel stood at 1.62 USD/liter.
• In March 2024, the Romanian government adjusted its energy support scheme, lowering price levels for households, small businesses, and industries. This scheme, which partially regulated the country's power and gas markets, was set to continue until March 2025. The government rolled out a centralized energy acquisition mechanism in late 2022, mandating power and gas producers to sell a portion of their output at regulated prices from January 2023. Gasoline prices in Romania were forecasted to hover around 1.76 USD/liter in 2025 and rise to 1.84 USD/liter in 2026.

Romania Road Freight Transport Industry Overview

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support