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.
