Alcoholic beer market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian alcoholic beer market displayed resilience in 2018, backed by dominant producers like Zagrebačka pivovara and a rising number of craft breweries, though high excise duties and competition posed challenges. A slight dip followed in 2019 as producers reported lower revenues and increased costs. The COVID-19 pandemic then drastically reduced market volume in 2020, disrupting the hospitality sector and altering consumer behavior.

Recovery commenced in 2021 with innovations such as non-alcoholic beer responding to shifting preferences, alongside legislative changes like the excise duty exemption for small producers of strong alcohol effective from 2022. Market growth continued into 2022, supported by these adjustments. However, 2023 saw a contraction due to economic pressures, inflation, higher beer prices, and regulatory discussions on restricting chilled beer sales in retail.

In 2024, the market expanded again, bolstered by strong tourist traffic that boosted seasonal consumption and significant sales growth from major breweries. The ongoing trend toward non-alcoholic options and increased focus on sustainability further influenced the market's development over the full period.

Production alcoholic beer in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's alcoholic beer production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 212.7 million US dollars, marking a 31.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 355.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Alcoholic beer production in Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 230.8 million liters were produced, reflecting a 29.0% contraction compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 30.9%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The peak was in 2018 with 339.0 million liters, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Croatia

Exports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer exports from Croatia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia exported 52 950 thousand liters, representing a 15.3% decrease relative to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 22.4%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the leading destination for exports in volume, accounting for 78.0% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 27 344 thousand US dollars, a 19.0% fall from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 39.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 48 152 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 6.1%, while 2019 experienced the largest decline of 29.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the key buyer of alcoholic beer from Croatia in value terms, taking 75.1% of total exports, with a diverse group of other countries accounting for the rest.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Croatia in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Croatia

Imports in kind, K l

Alcoholic beer imports to Croatia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia imported 99 182 thousand liters, reflecting a slight uptick of 1.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 25.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in volume were Slovenia, Hungary, and Serbia, which together accounted for 59.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia imported 52 755 thousand US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for imports in value terms were Slovenia with 25.1%, Germany with 16.8%, and Hungary with 11.7% of total imports, jointly accounting for 53.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Croatia in value, 2017-2020