Romania sees surge in large company insolvencies

Business Forum
Romania's Q1 of 2026 marks a shift in economic pressure from small businesses to larger companies with significant economic impact. According to analysis by CITR, the country's leading insolvency and restructuring firm, 19 companies with assets exceeding €4 million each entered insolvency in Q1 2026, compared to just two in the same period last year.

These 19 companies hold combined assets of approximately €187 million and total debts of over €448 million, directly affecting 884 employees. In total, 66 impact companies with assets over €1 million entered insolvency in Q1 2026, representing a 164% increase compared to 25 companies in the same period of 2025.

"We're seeing economic pressure clearly moving toward companies with real weight in the economy. When such companies face difficulties, the effect is no longer isolated but spreads throughout the economy," said Paul-Dieter Cârlănaru, CEO of CITR. He emphasised that early access to restructuring tools becomes essential, as companies acting in early 2026 have significantly better recovery chances than those delaying decisions until difficulties become structural.

Agriculture shows the steepest deterioration, with normalised insolvency rates nearly doubling in one year due to severe 2024 climate effects, high financing costs, and persistent supply chain disruptions. Eight of the 19 large companies operate in industry and production sectors including bakery, agro-food, wood processing, and metal construction, facing pressure from high production costs, declining external demand, and stricter financing conditions.

Romania recorded 1,829 insolvency procedures in Q1 2026, up 14.3% from the previous year. March alone accounted for 738 cases, representing 40% of the quarter's total, indicating accelerating financial pressure that may continue into Q2.

RECOMMENDED
Mangalia shipyard enters bankruptcy
Economy

Mangalia shipyard enters bankruptcy

CITR, the judicial administrator of Șantierul Naval din Mangalia, announced that the creditors' assembly has rejected the proposed reorganisation plan for the company.

DN Agrar posts 65% net profit jump in 2025
Agriculture

DN Agrar posts 65% net profit jump in 2025

DN Agrar Group, one of Romania's leading integrated agrifood companies and Europe's largest dairy milk producer, closed 2025 with preliminary turnover of €43 million, up 21% compared to 2024. Net profit increased by 65% to €10.5 million, translating into a net margin of 25%.

Norofert launches capital raise for strategic growth
Agriculture

Norofert launches capital raise for strategic growth

Norofert, the Romanian producer of organic agricultural inputs and biotechnology provider, has started a share capital increase to raise up to RON 9 million (€1.8 million) following approval from the Financial Supervisory Authority.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Industry

Russian drone crashes into Galați residential area

A Russian Geran-2 combat drone breached Romanian airspace and crashed into a residential apartment block in the eastern city of Galați early on 29 May, intensifying security concerns along NATO's eastern flank.

READ MORE
Business Forum  |  4 June, 2026 at 11:01 AM