Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Croatian cocoa-free sugar confectionery market volume showed variability, rising slightly to 9 438 t in 2019 before contracting to 8 686 t in 2020. A recovery to 9 428 t in 2021 coincided with an increase in the number of enterprises in the cocoa, chocolate, and sugar confectionery manufacturing industry, indicating new market entrants and heightened sector activity.

Market volume then stabilized around 9 400 t. In 2022, despite growing consumer interest in healthier snacks with lower sugar content and the introduction of new health regulations and taxes on sugary products, total consumption remained virtually flat at 9 470 t. By 2023, the market volume saw a marginal decline to 9 352 t.

A sharp expansion of 18.7% to 11 102 t occurred in 2024, with the market's value rising even more sharply by 30.9% to $66.5 million, reflecting a premiumisation trend. This surge was primarily driven by global cocoa supply shocks and soaring cocoa prices due to crop failures in key producing countries, which encouraged manufacturers to adopt cocoa-free and reduced-cocoa formulations. Concurrently, stricter environmental regulations like the EU deforestation-free rule and expanded sugar taxes further stimulated innovation in sugar-free and cocoa-free products, aligning with sustained consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable options.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 17 431 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 13.8% drop from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 5.0%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 20 866 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 2.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

In 2020, Croatia produced 3 853 tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, representing a substantial 15.1% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The peak production volume was in 2019 at 4 540 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.1% during this period.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Croatia's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery declined in volume. In 2020, exports totaled 2 767 tonnes, a sharp 15.0% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 11.4%, averaging 3.7% growth per year. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 3 254 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 24.3% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia were the top buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Croatia. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 31.1% of exports in volume, Serbia for 24.0%, and Slovenia for 13.5%. Together, these three countries made up 68.6% of Croatia's total exports in this category.

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 two years of growth, the value of Croatia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports fell. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 123 thousand US dollars, down 10.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The peak export value was in 2019 at 12 371 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase of 12.4% occurred in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia dominated the value of Croatia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports. Bosnia and Herzegovina represented 30.6% of export value, Serbia 23.7%, and Slovenia 16.3%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 70.6% of total export flows in monetary 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 cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery decreased in volume. In 2020, imports stood at 7 599 tonnes, a modest 6.8% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 8.0%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 8 151 tonnes, and the largest increase of 8.7% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms were highly diversified. Germany led with 28.5% of imports, followed by Slovenia at 10.6% and Belgium at 8.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 47.1% of total import flows, while the remaining 52.9% was spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

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 two years of increase, the value of Croatia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 31 697 thousand US dollars, down 10.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.0%, with an average annual rate of 3.9%. The peak import value was in 2019 at 35 462 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase of 18.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Croatia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms was highly diversified. Germany was the largest source, accounting for 30.3% of import value, followed by Belgium at 10.1% and Poland at 9.2%. These three countries together made up 49.6% of total import flows, with the remaining 50.4% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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