Beef and buffalo meat market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian beef and buffalo meat market saw variable volumes but steady value growth from 2018 to 2023. Physical market size fluctuated, peaking at 46.5 thousand tonnes in 2022 before falling to 42.8 thousand tonnes in 2023. In contrast, the market's value rose consistently from USD 203.5 million to USD 283.8 million, reflecting higher unit prices over these years.

A pronounced market expansion took place in 2024, with volume surging to 50.4 thousand tonnes and value reaching USD 341.4 million. This growth was driven by historically high beef prices resulting from global herd reductions and increased consumption, which elevated overall market value. Concurrently, stronger consumer preference for local and quality meat products boosted demand, supporting both domestic production and import volumes.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's beef and buffalo meat production value experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 138.3 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 131.5 million US dollars, representing a 4.9% year-over-year decrease. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, when production value rose by 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Croatia's beef and buffalo meat production volume has declined for two consecutive years. In 2019, production stood at 27,230 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 25,641 tonnes, marking a 5.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 timeframe, production decreased by 6.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.3%. Production reached its highest point in 2018 at 28,440 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 3.6%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Croatia's beef and buffalo meat exports declined in 2020. Exports totaled 6,223 tonnes that year, representing an 18.7% decrease from the 2019 level of 7,656 tonnes. Despite this recent drop, exports increased by 6.3% over the entire 2017-2020 period, averaging 2.1% annual growth. The most substantial annual increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 29.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently served as Croatia's primary export markets for beef and buffalo meat. Italy accounted for 40.4% of exports by volume, Slovenia for 23.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 78.4% of Croatia's total beef and buffalo meat exports during this period.

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

After two years of improvement, the value of Croatia's beef and buffalo meat exports declined in 2020. Export value dropped to 30.4 million US dollars that year, a substantial 20.4% decrease from the 2019 peak of 38.2 million US dollars. Over the full 2017-2020 timeframe, export value increased by 9.5%, averaging 3.1% annual growth. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, when export value jumped by 36.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated Croatia's beef and buffalo meat exports by value. Italy accounted for 49.4% of export value, Slovenia for 24.1%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 9.2%. Collectively, these three markets absorbed 82.7% of Croatia's total beef and buffalo meat export value during this period.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's beef and buffalo meat imports declined in 2020 after two years of growth. Imports totaled 22,473 tonnes that year, representing a 9.2% decrease from the 2019 peak of 24,748 tonnes. The most substantial annual increase occurred in 2019, when imports grew by 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria served as Croatia's main suppliers of beef and buffalo meat by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 29.6% of imports, Poland for 28.4%, and Austria for 14.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 72.4% of Croatia's total beef and buffalo meat imports during this period.

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

Following two years of increase, Croatia's beef and buffalo meat import value declined in 2020. Import value dropped to 94.7 million US dollars that year, a significant 14.3% decrease from the 2019 peak of 110.5 million US dollars. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 2.2%, averaging 0.7% annual growth. The most substantial annual increase occurred in 2018, when import value rose by 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria were Croatia's primary sources of beef and buffalo meat by value. The Netherlands accounted for 35.8% of import value, Poland for 20.7%, and Austria for 14.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.2% of Croatia's total beef and buffalo meat import value during this period.

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

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