Carpets and rugs market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for carpets and rugs in Croatia, measured in volume, contracted significantly from over 4.3 million m² in 2018 to approximately 2.7 million m² in 2021. This downward trend reversed from 2022 onward, with the market recovering to around 3.8 million m² by 2024. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, declining before reaching a peak of nearly $29.6 million in 2023.

A key development in 2022 was the entry of new domestic players, such as the designer wool carpet brand RUNO, which emphasized sustainable, handcrafted production. This expanded the range of locally made, premium offerings. Furthermore, the implementation of a new Consumer Protection Act that year introduced stricter rules on customer information, potentially bolstering market transparency and consumer confidence during the recovery phase.

Throughout the period, evolving consumer preferences shaped demand. Trends highlighted a shift towards practical, low-pile carpets for easy maintenance and sustainable materials from 2019. By 2022, popularity grew for natural materials like jute and cotton, as well as rugs with abstract and geometric patterns, reinforcing their role in interior design for thermal and acoustic insulation. These design trends, including the continued prominence of geometric patterns combined with neutral tones in 2024, supported market activity.

Production carpets and rugs in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's carpet and rug production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 228.7 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 51.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 50.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 740.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 61.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, m²

Croatia's carpet and rug production volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 13 751 square meters, representing a 36.7% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 39.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.2%. The peak was in 2018 with 25 735 square meters, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, m²

Exports carpets and rugs from Croatia

Exports in kind, K m²

In 2020, Croatia's cross-border shipments of carpets and rugs amounted to 156 thousand square meters, showing a robust 20.4% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the top contributors to Croatia's carpet and rug exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 50.5% of exports, Serbia for 24.1%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 85.5% 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

After a two-year increase, Croatia's carpet and rug exports declined in value. In 2020, exports totaled 1 551 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.8% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 757 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina played leading roles in Croatia's carpet and rug exports by value. Italy contributed 31.3% of export value, Serbia 22.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 69.6% 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 carpets and rugs to Croatia

Imports in kind, K m²

Croatia's carpet and rug imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 3 159 thousand square meters, marking a steep 26.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 28.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany were the largest suppliers of carpets and rugs to Croatia in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 40.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 10.9%, and Germany for 9.0%. Together, these three countries formed 60.6% of total import volume.

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 carpet and rug imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 24 509 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 8.3% decrease relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 27 240 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 2.7%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands remained the leading sources in Croatia's carpet and rug imports by value. Belgium accounted for 27.5% of import value, Germany for 13.1%, and the Netherlands for 11.3%. Combined, these three countries held a 51.9% share 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