Chicken meat and offal market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the volume of the chicken meat market in Croatia grew from 60,625 t to 74,149 t, marking a substantial expansion. The initial increase in 2019 was supported by a broader rise in sales of meat products, reflecting shifting consumer preferences toward poultry. After a period of stabilization in 2020, the market volume continued its upward trajectory through 2021 and 2022.

A pronounced surge of nearly 10% occurred in 2023, lifting the market volume to over 74,000 t. This acceleration was primarily driven by sustained dietary trends favoring chicken meat for health and ethical reasons, coupled with a region-wide increase in demand. Concurrently, the market adapted to new labeling rules for fresh and frozen products and saw the introduction of smart packaging with freshness indicators, which influenced consumer trust and product differentiation.

Entering 2024, the trends of growing chicken meat consumption and reduced red meat intake persisted, supported by further digitalization in packaging and enhanced quality regulations. These developments continued to shape the market environment, aligning with the longer-term movement toward healthier protein sources and stricter food safety standards.

Production chicken meat and offal in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Croatia's chicken meat and offal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 56 650 tonnes, marking a 5.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chicken meat and offal output in Croatia reached 106.5 million US dollars, showing a modest 1.0% gain over the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 113.7 million US dollars, which saw an 8.7% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 7.2% decline.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's chicken meat and offal exports have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 5 254 tonnes, down 11.8% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.7%, averaging a 4.8% annual decline. The peak was in 2018 at 6 907 tonnes, which saw a 13.5% increase. The sharpest drop was in 2019, with a 13.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Austria, and Serbia were the top destinations for Croatia's chicken meat and offal exports by volume. Slovenia accounted for 40.3% of exports, Austria for 13.8%, and Serbia for 13.3%, together making up 67.4% 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

Croatia's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 882 thousand US dollars, a 15.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 18.6%, with an average annual rate of 6.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 14 927 thousand US dollars, which saw a 22.9% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 22.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Austria, and North Macedonia were the main buyers of Croatian chicken meat and offal by value. Slovenia represented 36.3% of exports, Austria 24.3%, and North Macedonia 14.6%, collectively accounting for 75.2% 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 chicken meat and offal to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's chicken meat and offal imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 11 691 tonnes, a 23.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 17.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.3%. The peak was in 2019 at 15 314 tonnes, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 5.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia were the key sources for Croatia's chicken meat and offal imports by volume. Poland contributed 22.5% of imports, the Netherlands 20.8%, and Slovenia 19.1%, together representing 62.4% 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

Croatia's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms have dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 23 991 thousand US dollars, a sharp 37.7% decline year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.1%, averaging a 10.4% annual fall. The highest value was in 2018 at 47 258 thousand US dollars, which saw a 41.6% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia were the principal suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Croatia by value. The Netherlands accounted for 29.2% of imports, Poland for 22.7%, and Slovenia for 15.0%, jointly making up 67.0% 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