Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Croatia grew steadily in volume from 10 688 t in 2018 to 14 337 t in 2024. The initial increase from 2018 to 2021 was driven by shifting consumer preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for butter as a more natural alternative to vegetable oils.

In the following years, the trend toward natural products continued, supporting consumption volumes. At the same time, the growing influence of discount stores in dairy distribution improved butter's accessibility, contributing to market growth. In value terms, the market's worth rose more sharply, partly due to global increases in dairy raw material prices, which raised production costs and retail prices.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Croatia's output of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats reached its lowest value at 45 980 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, production increased by 3.8% to 47 737 thousand US dollars. The peak value was recorded earlier, in 2018, at 48 394 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 5.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production in Croatia rebounded in 2020. Output reached 9 317 tonnes, marking a moderate 9.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8 516 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 5.1% drop.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Croatia's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined in 2020. Shipments abroad amounted to 847 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 16.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 851 tonnes, with the most significant increase occurring in 2018 at 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Croatia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in kind were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Montenegro. Together, these countries accounted for 78.2% of total export flows 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Croatia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats export value declined in 2020. Exports stood at 4 879 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 44.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0%. The peak export value was recorded in 2019 at 5 194 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 37.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (34.0% of export value), Slovenia (27.1% of export value), and Montenegro (17.3% of export value) consistently served as the main destinations for Croatia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in value terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 78.4% 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 butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of increase, Croatia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in kind declined in 2020. Imports stood at 3 511 tonnes, showing very little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 23.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 515 tonnes, with the most significant increase occurring that same year at 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (46.6% of imports in kind), Poland (16.8% of imports in kind), and Czechia (7.6% of imports in kind) were the leading sources for Croatia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports. Together, these three countries supplied 71.0% 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 butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats import value declined in 2020. Imports totaled 15 353 thousand US dollars, down 10.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 6.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 17 197 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 4.2% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany (45.7% of import value), Poland (17.4% of import value), and Czechia (7.5% of import value) together accounted for 70.5% of Croatia's total butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats import value, making them the primary sources for these products.

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

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