Bituminous mixtures market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for bituminous mixtures in Croatia experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2024, with market volume more than doubling from 561 thousand tons to 1 151 thousand tons. This overall expansion was characterized by significant annual fluctuations, reflecting dynamic changes in domestic consumption.

A period of particularly sharp increase occurred in 2020 and 2021, where the market grew by 41% and 27% respectively, peaking at 1 070 thousand tons. This was followed by a 15% contraction in 2022, but a strong recovery of 32% growth in 2023 brought the market to 1 202 thousand tons. In 2024, the market volume saw a moderate correction, declining by 4% to 1 151 thousand tons.

Globally, the bitumen market is shaped by infrastructure expansion, stricter environmental regulations promoting recycled and polymer-modified materials, and technological innovations such as warm-mix asphalt. These trends influence product development and sustainability efforts within the industry.

Production bituminous mixtures in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's bituminous mixtures output was valued at 42 141 K $ US, marking a 39.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 46%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Croatia's bituminous mixtures production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 865.2 K t of bituminous mixtures, representing a 40.4% gain over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 35.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 616.3 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

Exports bituminous mixtures from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's bituminous mixtures exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 40 909 t, reflecting a 13.9% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 46.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 18.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 97 233 t, which also experienced the largest increase of 26.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 51.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's bituminous mixtures exports in kind were almost entirely directed to Slovenia, which accounted for 93.2% 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, K $ US

Croatia's bituminous mixtures export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 533 K $ US, showing a sharp fall of 27.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 32%, with a compound annual decline rate of 12.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5 195 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 39.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 32.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia remained the dominant destination for Croatia's bituminous mixtures exports in value terms, holding an 81.1% share of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other 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 bituminous mixtures to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, Croatia's bituminous mixtures import volume declined. In 2020, imports were approximately 16 623 t, corresponding to a steep drop of 43.8% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 552 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 42.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the dominant sources for Croatia's bituminous mixtures imports in kind, jointly accounting for 88.1% of total import flows, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

Croatia's bituminous mixtures import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 311 K $ US, showing a fall of 25.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 500 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 67.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 31.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Slovenia (30.6% of imports in value terms), Austria (22.4%), and Italy (12.4%) formed the key group of partners for Croatia's bituminous mixtures imports in value terms, jointly representing 65.5% 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