Barley market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian barley market volume stood at 215.5 thousand tons in 2018 and rose to 251.9 thousand tons the following year. During this period, established production collaborations, such as the cultivation of brewing barley at Nova Gradiška Prison for the Slavonija slad factory, formed part of the market landscape. However, the market then contracted over the next two years, falling to 219.0 thousand tons in 2020 and 207.8 thousand tons in 2021.

The market rebounded in 2022, reaching 241.7 thousand tons. This recovery was primarily driven by the war in Ukraine, which disrupted global grain trade and increased European demand for barley as a substitute for corn in animal feed. In 2023, the market volume saw a modest decline to 232.7 thousand tons.

Production barley in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Croatia's barley production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 325.5 K t of barley, marking a solid 16.8% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 230.2 K t. That year also saw the largest decline of 11.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 21.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Croatia's barley production value declined. In 2020, barley output was valued at 58 961 K $ US, a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 32.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.8%. The highest value was reached in 2019 at 59 792 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 25.2%.

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

Exports barley from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia exported 132.9 K t of barley, a sharp year-on-year increase of 262.0%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 36.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 42.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (42.5% of exports in kind), Austria (14.3%), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (12.0%) were the key destinations for Croatia's barley exports, together accounting for 68.9% 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, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, varying by a factor of 3.1. In 2020, the value of barley exports from Croatia was 24 073 K $ US, a 205.5% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 879 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 30.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy (40.7% of exports in value terms), Austria (14.7%), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (10.7%) consistently held the top positions in Croatia's export structure, jointly making up 66.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports barley to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, showing a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, barley imports into Croatia amounted to 26.4 K t, a steep 164.2% increase from 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 10.0 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 29.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 65.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (36.7% of imports in kind), Serbia (32.3%), and Hungary (17.7%) were the main sources of barley imports to Croatia, together accounting for 86.8% 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

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Imports varied by a factor of 2.8, with the lowest point in 2019 and the highest in 2018. In 2020, Croatia imported barley worth 5 792 K $ US, a sudden 100.0% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 896 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 7 989 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 63.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 169.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France (39.5% of imports in value terms), Serbia (30.6%), and Hungary (15.6%) accounted for the largest share of Croatia's barley imports, together comprising 85.6% 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