Corrugated paper and paperboard market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Croatian corrugated paper and paperboard market was shaped by major production facilities like the Belišće mill and the PAN paper factory in Zagreb. Environmental trends favoring paper over plastic supported packaging paper consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered business conditions, contributing to increased demand for packaging and a market volume rise to 25 300 metric tons.

Growing interest in sustainable and recyclable materials pushed the market to a peak of 28 486 metric tons in 2021. The following year saw the closure of producer CARTA and a sharp increase in pulp prices due to global supply disruptions, which pressured the industry despite the entry of new players like GEBOX and 2K-Ecopack. Tightening European environmental regulations in 2023 and anticipated capital market legislative changes in 2024 added further regulatory adjustments, coinciding with a continued market decline to 20 816 metric tons by 2024.

Production corrugated paper and paperboard in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of corrugated paper and paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output was valued at 31 259 K $ US, but by 2020 it had dropped to 27 099 K $ US, marking a significant 13.3% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 19.5%, with an average annual decline of 7.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 871 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 6.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of corrugated paper and paperboard decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, the country produced 46 086 t, but in 2020 this fell to 42 935 t, representing a 6.8% reduction. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 14.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%.

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

Exports corrugated paper and paperboard from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard declined for the third year running. In 2019, exports totaled 24 205 t, but by 2020 they had decreased to 20 816 t, reflecting a 14.0% drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 24.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Hungary were the core markets for Croatia's exports in volume terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 46.2% of exports, Slovenia for 33.5%, and Hungary for 10.7%, together making up 90.4% 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 exports of corrugated paper and paperboard declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were valued at 17 882 K $ US, but in 2020 they dropped to 15 164 K $ US, a notable 15.2% contraction. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 20 023 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Hungary were the primary buyers of corrugated paper and paperboard from Croatia in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 44.2% of exports, Slovenia for 33.7%, and Hungary for 11.1%, jointly representing 89.0% 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 corrugated paper and paperboard to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard increased for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports were 2 714 t, rising to 3 182 t in 2020, a robust 17.3% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 173.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 39.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia were the main suppliers of corrugated paper and paperboard to Croatia in volume terms. Italy accounted for 36.4% of imports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 29.1%, and Serbia for 17.1%, together comprising 82.6% 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 imports of corrugated paper and paperboard increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports stood at 2 227 K $ US, and by 2020 they had risen to 2 598 K $ US, up by 16.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 149.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 35.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia were the central sources for Croatia's imports in value terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 73.1% 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