Animal feed preparations market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian animal feed market expanded from 1 140 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 1 279 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was supported by substantial foreign investment, notably MHP's €44.5 million injection into feed production facilities starting in 2019, which increased local capacity. The implementation of EU organic animal production legislation in 2020 further aligned the sector with European standards, while a broader 15% rise in European feed production in 2021 reflected elevated regional demand.

After 2021, market volume contracted to 936 thousand tonnes by 2024. A key driver was the decline in Croatia's poultry population, which had fallen by 8.63% since 2009, reducing feed demand from one of the largest consuming sectors. Concurrently, the industry faced pressure from environmental and animal welfare concerns linked to the clustering of production into integrated systems, prompting stricter regulations and potentially limiting expansion.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by evolving EU animal welfare rules, such as the 2022 legislative revisions, and strengthened domestic enforcement, including harsher penalties for animal cruelty introduced in 2024. Consumer preference shifted towards sustainable, high-welfare feed ingredients, and ongoing investments like MHP's planned capacity increase by 2028 pointed to a focus on value over volume.

Production animal feed preparations in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Croatia's output of animal feed preparations was valued at 411.0 million US dollars, marking an 8.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 14.7%, while the most significant decline was recorded in 2019, at 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Croatia produced 1 133 thousand tonnes of animal feed preparations, representing a 9.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 16.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a slight drop of 0.2%.

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

Exports animal feed preparations from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Croatia's exports of animal feed preparations rebounded in 2020, reaching 81.3 thousand tonnes, a 21.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 67.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Serbia emerged as the primary markets for Croatia's exports of animal feed preparations in kind. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 38.0% of exports, Hungary for 20.8%, and Serbia for 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 68.2% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Croatia's exports of animal feed preparations in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 66.2 million US dollars, an 18.2% year-on-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 29.8%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 9.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Croatia's export structure in value terms was highly diversified. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 20.1% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 16.0%, and Hungary for 9.9%. Together, these three markets represented only 46.1% of total flows, with the remaining 53.9% consisting of a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports animal feed preparations to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

Croatia's imports of animal feed preparations in kind increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 188.7 thousand tonnes, a 4.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 24.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Italy, and Austria formed the main cluster of markets for Croatia's imports of animal feed preparations in kind. Hungary accounted for 29.0% of imports, Italy for 22.6%, and Austria for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% 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, M $ US

Croatia's imports of animal feed preparations in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 184.2 million US dollars, a 4.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Hungary, and Germany remained the three largest markets for Croatia's imports of animal feed preparations in value terms. Together, they accounted for 55.8% 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