Cereal groats and meal market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian market for cereal groats and meal showed fluctuating volumes from 2018 to 2021, influenced by regulatory frameworks. The implementation of the National Consumer Protection Program for 2017-2020 in 2018 established a legislative basis for the food market. Market volume reached 40 647 t in 2019 but contracted to 35 636 t in 2020. A recovery to 41 443 t followed in 2021, coinciding with the launch of a new consumer protection program for 2021-2024, which continued to shape the market environment.

After a decline to 38 161 t in 2022, the market entered a phase of strong expansion. In 2023, stagnation and a slight decrease in grain prices, with the average wholesale price of wheat falling by 3.2%, reduced input costs for flour production. This price dynamic contributed to a market volume increase to 43 537 t. Growth continued into 2024, with volume reaching 47 643 t, driven by record-low prices for grain and flour—wholesale flour prices dropped by about 10%—which stimulated demand, alongside increased domestic corn production supporting supply.

Production cereal groats and meal in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of cereal groats and meal, measured in monetary value, experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2020, output reached 8 050 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 13.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak was observed in 2019, with a value of 8 556 thousand US dollars, and that year also saw the largest annual increase at 11.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In terms of volume, Croatia's production of cereal groats and meal grew for two years before falling. In 2020, the country produced 22 060 tonnes, representing a significant 23.7% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 923 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual surge of 40.6%.

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

Exports cereal groats and meal from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of cereal groats and meal from Croatia showed notable volatility in recent years. In 2020, exports totaled 4 678 tonnes, down 25.2% from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 3 549 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 6 255 tonnes, resulting in a 1.8-fold difference between these two years. The most substantial increase was in 2019, when exports jumped by 76.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Croatia's cereal groats and meal exports by volume were Slovenia, accounting for 56.4% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina with 18.8%, and Italy at 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 88.0% 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 exports of cereal groats and meal in monetary terms have risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 212 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 50.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 81.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 22.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the top buyers of Croatian cereal groats and meal by value were Slovenia, with a 45.3% share, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 20.1%, and Germany with 14.9%. Combined, these countries made up 80.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cereal groats and meal to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Croatia's imports of cereal groats and meal by volume rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 18 255 tonnes, up 1.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 16.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 17 979 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual drop of 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of cereal groats and meal to Croatia by volume were Austria, contributing 30.0% of imports, Hungary with 28.8%, and Italy at 21.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.4% 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

Following a two-year decrease, Croatia's imports of cereal groats and meal in value terms increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 9 450 thousand US dollars, up 7.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 17.2%, averaging an annualized decline of 6.1%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 8 789 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the steepest annual reduction of 16.8%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Austria, Hungary, and Germany were the leading sources of cereal groats and meal imports to Croatia by value, with shares of 24.9%, 23.4%, and 20.8%, respectively. Collectively, they represented 69.1% of total import value.

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

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