Carrots and turnips market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Croatian market for fresh carrots and turnips saw initial growth followed by a contraction. The market volume expanded from 19 291 t in 2018 to 22 090 t in 2019, as regulatory changes phasing out linuron and permitting the herbicide aclonifen from 2019 onward began altering crop protection practices, potentially supporting yields. However, the market receded to 20 335 t in 2020, despite reports of an upward trend in land dedicated to root vegetables.

A sharp drop to 17 952 t occurred in 2021, driven by unfavorable weather conditions, labor shortages, and market risks that reduced vegetable cultivation areas and harvests. This was reversed in 2022 when the market surged by 34% to 24 120 t, primarily due to a 56% increase in domestic carrot production compared to the previous year, even amid an overall decline in vegetable acreage. The same year, an amendment to the Value Added Tax Law introduced a 13% VAT rate on supplies of fresh vegetables, affecting consumer prices. In 2023, the market volume softened slightly to 22 966 t, while growers increasingly adopted protected cultivation technologies to mitigate climate challenges and continued implementing the National Strategy for sustainable producer organizations.

By 2024, rising imports of vegetables, including carrots, were noted, potentially intensifying competition on the domestic market. Ongoing updates to herbicide recommendations and state support programs under the national strategy continued to shape the production landscape.

Production carrots and turnips in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

In 2020, Croatia produced 10 110 tonnes of carrots and turnips, marking a significant 15.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10 060 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 26.4%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2019, rising by 18.4%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was observed in 2018 at 251 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 1 075 tonnes, representing a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia's exports of carrots and turnips surged by 116.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 60.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia accounted for 59.2% of Croatia's exports in kind, Hungary for 12.8%, and Italy for 10.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 82.4% 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

The market exhibited volatility during these years. The lowest export value was in 2018 at 150 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2020 at 619 thousand US dollars, showing a 4.1-fold gap. In 2020, Croatia's exports of carrots and turnips in value terms jumped by 122.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, decreasing by 7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia's export structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Slovenia, which held a 75.4% share of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of carrots and turnips increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 11 300 tonnes, up 5.8% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 9 482 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2018 at 0.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Croatia's imports in kind were the Netherlands with a 26.7% share, Serbia with 25.9%, and Italy with 18.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.1% 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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019 at 5 480 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia imported 4 863 thousand US dollars worth of carrots and turnips, reflecting an 11.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 74.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy accounted for 22.9% of Croatia's imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 22.5%, and Serbia for 19.7%. This key group of partners jointly represented 65.0% of total import flows for carrots and turnips to Croatia.

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

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