Alliaceous vegetables market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of alliaceous vegetables in Croatia declined from 24 thousand t in 2018 to 20.7 thousand t in 2020. This reduction was driven by the introduction of stricter pesticide residue requirements like GlobalGAP and changes to the sustainable pesticide use law, which increased producer obligations and costs. Additionally, unfavorable weather conditions and labor shortages in 2020 led to a contraction in cultivated area, further squeezing domestic output.

The market stabilized in 2021 with production at 20.7 thousand t, while imports surged to 30 thousand t, partly offsetting the tighter home supply. Rising prices for fresh vegetables across Europe due to logistical shocks encouraged greater imports. A sharp drop in production to 15.2 thousand t occurred in 2022, triggered by soaring energy, seed, and logistics costs, coupled with an increase in the VAT rate on fresh and chilled vegetables from 5% to 13%, which lifted retail prices and affected consumption. A 6.35% reduction in planted area that year also contributed to the downturn.

Production rebounded to 18.8 thousand t in 2023 as imports continued to grow, reaching 34 thousand t. This recovery coincided with producer adaptation to new EU-harmonized requirements for numerical tracking of hazardous substance use and revised market standards that enhanced quality control. For 2024, the rollout of enhanced support for organic farming through the Rural Development Program and stricter food quality inspections aims to promote more sustainable production practices.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Croatia's production of alliaceous vegetables has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 20 660 tonnes, marking a modest 7.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed an unstable pattern over the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia exported 1 070 tonnes of alliaceous vegetables, down 9.5% from the year before. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 550 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 23.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 139.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the primary destinations for Croatia's alliaceous vegetable exports. Slovenia accounted for 41.5% of exports in kind, Serbia for 30.0%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented 82.6% of total exports in kind.

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

The export market in value terms displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of alliaceous vegetable exports from Croatia was 797 thousand US dollars, a 14.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 930 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 92.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the largest buyers of alliaceous vegetables from Croatia in value terms. Slovenia made up 61.5% of exports, Serbia 14.2%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 82.1% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of alliaceous vegetables declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 23 946 tonnes, reflecting a moderate 8.9% decrease compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 27 290 tonnes. The largest increase was in 2018, growing by 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany were the key partners for Croatia's alliaceous vegetable imports in kind. The Netherlands contributed 36.5% of imports, Austria 27.3%, and Germany 7.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.4% of total import 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

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of alliaceous vegetables in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 14 065 thousand US dollars, which is 29.2% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.9%, averaging an 8.0% annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 874 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 34.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy were the biggest contributors to Croatia's alliaceous vegetable imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 35.0% of imports, Austria for 14.4%, and Italy for 12.8%. Together, these three countries made up 62.2% of total import flows.

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

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