Dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets in Croatia declined from 588 t in 2018 to 320 t in 2024. Consumer preferences in the country have historically favored fresh and filleted fish products, which limited demand for processed segments like dried or salted fish.

Market size showed volatility, recovering to 577 t in 2021 before falling again. Throughout the period, no significant changes in legislation, policy, or entry of major new players were recorded that could have stimulated domestic market growth.

In 2023, Croatia's fish sector included 49 enterprises producing dried, salted, and filleted fish, primarily for export. The country's position as a net exporter of fish products suggests production often targets external markets rather than domestic consumption.

Production dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets was valued at 3 952 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 18.9%, with an average annual decrease of 6.7%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, at 14.9%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2019, at 3.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Croatia produced 509.0 tonnes of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets, which is 14.6% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.5%. The most significant increase was observed in 2019, at 9.6%.

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

Exports dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia's exports of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets amounted to 164.5 tonnes, marking a 21.8% decline compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 210.2 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 460.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the dominant buyer of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets from Croatia, accounting for 83.9% of total exports in volume, while other countries shared the remaining portion.

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

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Exports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, with a 7.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Croatia exported 2 504 thousand US dollars worth of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets, down by 4.1% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 610 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 370.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary market for Croatia's exports in value terms, holding an 86.0% share of total flows, while the rest was distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Imports dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia's imports of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets totaled 172.4 tonnes, showing a significant decline of 11.3% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 194.3 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 138.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (47.1% of imports in volume), Albania (31.1% of imports in volume), and Spain (10.6% of imports in volume) were the leading sources for Croatia's imports of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets, collectively accounting for 88.7% of total 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

The market trend was unstable during this timeframe. Imports were lowest in 2017 and highest in 2019, with a 3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia's imports of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets were valued at 1 795 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep decline of 25.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 408 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 108.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Croatia's imports in value terms of dried, salted, or brined (not smoked) fish fillets were Albania (39.2% of imports in value terms), Bosnia and Herzegovina (35.7% of imports in value terms), and Spain (12.3% of imports in value terms), which together made up 87.2% of total flows.

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

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