Turnover in wholesale trade: Steady growth in 2023
Data from the National Institute of Statistics reveal positive trends in the wholesale sector
In Romania's economic context, turnover in wholesale trade (excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles) has become the subject of encouraging analysis. The sector recorded significant increases in the first ten months of 2023, with varying consequences on different segments of the industry.
According to data provided on Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), in the period from 1 January to 31 October 2023, turnover grew by 1.2% on a gross basis and by 3.0% on a working-day and seasonally adjusted basis. This overall growth was fuelled by outstanding performances in various wholesale sectors.
Looking at the details, wholesale trade of other machinery, equipment and supplies recorded a significant increase of 13.1%, while wholesale trade of computer and telecommunications equipment advanced by 11.1%. Wholesale trade intermediation activities also increased by 9.0% and non-specialized wholesale trade by 3.7%. However, notable decreases were recorded in specialised wholesale of other products (-9.1%) and wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals (-4.9%).
On the other hand, October 2023 brought a 2.6% increase in turnover compared to the previous month. The sectors leading this growth were wholesale of consumer goods other than food (+5.2%), wholesale trade intermediation (+4.7%), and wholesale of computer and telecommunications equipment (+4.3%).
However, adjusting turnover for the number of working days and seasonality in October, growth was 1.3%, indicating a continuation of the upward trend.
Despite the notable increase, October 2023 compared to the same month last year also brought significant changes. Although gross series turnover remained at the same level, significant decreases were recorded in specialized wholesale trade of other products (-10.5%), wholesale trade intermediary activities (-10.4%), and wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials and live animals (-3.2%). In contrast, notable increases were recorded in wholesale trade of consumer goods other than food (+12.8%), non-specialised wholesale trade (+9.7%), and wholesale trade of other machinery, equipment and supplies (+5.7%).