Cocoa powder and cake market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cocoa powder and cake in Croatia showed significant variation between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 3 392 tonnes in 2018, consumption contracted over the following three years, falling to 2 923 tonnes in 2021. This trend reversed sharply in 2022 with a surge to 3 644 tonnes, and growth continued to 3 816 tonnes in 2023.

The market recovery in 2023 unfolded amid major global supply shocks for cocoa beans. A severe, prolonged drought and widespread crop disease in West Africa's key producing nations, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, caused a worldwide shortage. This deficit drove raw cocoa bean prices up by over 120%, directly increasing the cost of cocoa powder and chocolate products on the Croatian market. The industry structure, featuring the leading domestic confectionery company Kraš and vertically integrated firms, played a role in how these cost pressures were transmitted to consumers.

The supply constraints and intense price pressures that characterized 2023 persisted into 2024, with global cocoa prices reaching historic highs above $9 000 per tonne in the early part of the year, continuing to affect the cost base for cocoa products in Croatia.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

Croatia's production of cocoa powder and cake declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 259 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest production level was in 2018, reaching 2 484 tonnes, which represented a 3.9% increase. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.5% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of cocoa powder and cake declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 919 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual decrease of 8.2% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 32.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 12.4%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of cocoa powder and cake increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 868 tonnes, reflecting a sharp rise of 29.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 217.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 47.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, and Belgium were the top contributors to Croatia's exports of cocoa powder and cake in volume terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 27.0% of exports, Spain for 24.6%, and Belgium for 23.3%. Together, these three countries represented 75.0% 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

Export values showed irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totalled 2 275 thousand US dollars, up by 21.9% from the prior year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 98.1%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, and Spain formed the main cluster of markets for Croatia's cocoa powder and cake exports in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina contributed 29.6% of export value, Belgium 17.8%, and Spain 17.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 64.9% of total export flows.

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 powder and cake to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of cocoa powder and cake increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 1 758 tonnes, showing a rise of 7.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25.5%, equating to an average annual increase of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Turkey, and France were the primary sources for Croatia's imports of cocoa powder and cake in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 37.4% of imports, Turkey for 21.2%, and France for 10.5%. Together, these three countries made up 69.2% 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

In 2020, Croatia imported cocoa powder and cake valued at 4 371 thousand US dollars, representing a strong gain of 11.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 17.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Turkey, and France were the three principal markets for Croatia's imports of cocoa powder and cake in value terms, together accounting for 69.6% of total import flows.

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

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