Dried shelled legumes market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian dried shelled legumes market expanded from 13 617 т in 2018 to 15 465 т in 2019, driven by rising consumer interest in locally grown legumes as part of sustainable food trends. In 2020, however, market volume contracted to 12 793 т as production declined. The COVID-19 pandemic during this year spurred growth in food delivery services, including local agricultural products, altering distribution patterns and consumer habits for legumes.

A strong recovery began in 2021, with market volume reaching 14 130 т and production climbing to 8 140 т. This turnaround was fueled by the continued expansion of organic farming in Croatia, backed by state subsidies and policies promoting eco-friendly production. The number of organic farmers and the area dedicated to organic legume cultivation increased significantly, laying the foundation for further growth.

The growth accelerated in 2022 and 2023, with market volume jumping to 17 199 т and then to 22 496 т, while production soared to 13 280 т in 2023. This surge was driven by further rises in organic legume output, alongside shifting consumer preferences towards healthier, plant-based diets and the growing popularity of local and sustainable products. Additionally, a 2.9% increase in food retail outlets in 2023 improved product availability, supporting market expansion.

Production dried shelled legumes in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, dried shelled legume production in Croatia declined. In 2020, Croatia produced 6 920 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, marking a sharp 29.5% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 10.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 820 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 16.1% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of improvement, dried shelled legume production in Croatia declined. In 2020, the output of dried shelled legumes in Croatia was valued at 3 937 thousand US dollars, down by 48.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 7 688 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 39.4% rise.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's dried shelled legume export volume reached 1 294 tonnes, reflecting a 37.2% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 943 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 322 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 28.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia and Slovenia were the key partner countries for Croatia's dried shelled legume exports in volume terms, together accounting for 83.7% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

Dried shelled legume exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 736 thousand US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 810 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.9% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 0.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia and Serbia clearly dominated Croatia's dried shelled legume exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.0% of total flows, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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 shelled legumes to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign dried shelled legume supplies to Croatia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 7 167 tonnes, indicating an 8.8% rise year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (36.4% of imports in volume terms), China (20.5% of imports in volume terms), and Italy (9.6% of imports in volume terms) formed the key group of partners for dried shelled legume imports to Croatia, jointly representing 66.5% 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

Croatia's dried shelled legume imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia imported dried shelled legumes valued at 7 321 thousand US dollars, which is 16.8% more compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 321 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 9.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (33.1% of imports in value terms), China (20.0% of imports in value terms), and Italy (12.3% of imports in value terms) formed the main cluster of markets for Croatia's dried shelled legume imports in value terms, with a combined share of 65.4% 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