Figs market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the fig market in Croatia grew from 1 384 t to 1 541 t. This expansion occurred despite fluctuating domestic production, which faced constraints from aging orchards and a lack of organized collection infrastructure. During this period, the introduction of the Petrovača bijela variety and state-backed incentives for plantation-style farming provided a foundation for future yield growth, while a noted consumer shift toward dried figs influenced demand patterns.

The market reached a peak volume of 1 790 t in 2022. This surge was supported by increased imports of dried figs from Turkey and Albania, which bolstered overall supply. Concurrently, a major investment project funded by the Rural Development Program modernized processing capacity, aiming to add value through new product lines. The same year saw the implementation of a new Consumer Protection Act and a VAT rate reduction for certain products, directly affecting marketing and packaging practices for market participants.

By 2023, the total market volume declined to 1 545 t, accompanied by a drop in domestic production to 740 t. Market operations continued to adapt to the stricter EU organic production regulations and improved export logistics established earlier, which set the stage for certified and internationally traded products.

Production figs in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

Croatia produced 790 tons of figs in 2020, marking a 2.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 13.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1.3%.

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

Exports figs from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia exported 62.5 tons of figs, representing a sharp 63.6% increase compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 35.2%, averaging an annual decline of 13.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 38.2 tons, while the peak was in 2018 at 103.6 tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 63.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia accounted for 57.5% of Croatia's fig exports by volume, Italy for 16.6%, and Slovakia for 11.9%. Together, these three countries made up 86.0% 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

Croatia's fig exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 209 000 US dollars, a 7.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 59.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia was the primary market for Croatia's fig exports by value, representing 50.9%, followed by Slovakia at 13.0% and Italy at 10.2%. These three countries together accounted for 74.1% 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 figs to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Croatia's fig imports rebounded in 2020, reaching 781.4 tons—a significant 29.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 603.2 tons, and the largest decline that year was 12.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey was the leading source of Croatia's fig imports by volume, accounting for 50.9%, followed by Albania at 13.4% and Greece at 10.6%. Together, these three countries supplied 74.9% of total import volume.

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

After two years of decrease, Croatia's fig imports in value terms rose in 2020, totaling 2 716 000 US dollars—a steep 39.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 952 000 US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated Croatia's fig imports by value, representing 62.7%, while Greece and Spain each accounted for 6.8%. These three countries together comprised 76.3% of total import value.

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

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