Cherries market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh cherries in Croatia showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It began at 7,701 tons in 2018, fell to 5,740 tons in 2019, and then partially recovered to 6,406 tons in 2020. A further drop occurred in 2021, bringing the market to 5,030 tons, followed by a strong rebound to 7,307 tons in 2022. The period concluded with another contraction in 2023, with the market volume declining to 5,272 tons.

This pattern was primarily driven by fluctuations in domestic cherry production. Output fell sharply from 9,410 tons in 2018 to 6,860 tons in 2019, which directly contributed to the market's decline. Subsequent years saw production levels oscillate, rising to 7,310 tons in 2020, falling to 6,160 tons in 2021, and jumping to 8,180 tons in 2022, closely aligning with the market's movements. Over the same period, import volumes grew substantially, from 619 tons in 2018 to 1,951 tons in 2023, providing a supplementary supply that moderated the impact of lower production in some years.

Exports remained a significant outflow, averaging around 2,100 tons annually from 2019 to 2023. The interplay between variable domestic harvests, increasing imports, and steady exports resulted in the market's unstable size without establishing a consistent upward or downward trend over the six-year span.

Production cherries in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Cherry production in Croatia increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, Croatia produced 7 310 tonnes of cherries, marking a moderate 6.6% improvement from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 6 860 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 27.1% occurring that year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 28.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.5%.

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

Exports cherries from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, cherry exports from Croatia increased. In 2020, exports reached 2 127 tonnes, reflecting a 12.8% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 886 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 29.2% occurring in 2018. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 35.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Croatian cherries were Bosnia and Herzegovina, accounting for 35.8% of exports in volume, followed by Czechia at 19.7%, and Austria at 13.0%. Together, these three countries formed 68.5% of Croatia's total cherry exports by volume.

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

Cherry export values from Croatia showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 926 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 51.0% occurring that year. In 2020, export values reached 2 485 thousand US dollars, which is 110.0% higher than in 2019. From 2018 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 2.7 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Croatian cherry exports by value were Spain, with a 23.9% share, Czechia at 18.5%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 17.9%. This core group accounted for 60.3% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports cherries to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Cherry imports into Croatia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia imported 1 223 tonnes of cherries, representing a sharp 59.5% year-on-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 307.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 59.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of cherries to Croatia were Greece, providing 58.0% of imports by volume, followed by Serbia at 10.9%, and Italy at 10.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.5% of Croatia's total cherry imports in 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

Cherry import values into Croatia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 337 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 73.5% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values rose by 262.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 53.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for cherry imports into Croatia by value was Greece, with a 47.6% share, Germany at 15.8%, and Italy at 13.7%. Together, they represented 77.1% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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