Folding paperboard boxes market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian market for folding paperboard boxes experienced a decline in both physical volume and monetary value between 2018 and 2020. Market size in volume terms fell from 19.9 thousand tons to 18.2 thousand tons, while its value dropped from 53.9 million dollars to 44.4 million dollars over this period.

A sharp recovery occurred in 2021, with market volume surging to 22.2 thousand tons and value rebounding to 52.4 million dollars. The following two years saw relative stability in physical volume, which hovered around 21.3 thousand tons, even as the market's monetary value continued a strong upward trend, reaching 68.3 million dollars by 2023.

In 2024, the market volume expanded to 22.6 thousand tons. This growth was driven by the implementation of new EU and Croatian packaging regulations. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), along with updated national rules on extended producer responsibility and an expanded deposit return system, increased demand for sustainable folding paperboard boxes. Concurrently, the market's value decreased to 64.7 million dollars.

Production folding paperboard boxes in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of folding paperboard boxes in monetary terms increased after two years of decline. In 2020, output was valued at 37 802 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35 127 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production of folding paperboard boxes in physical terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 15 195 tonnes were produced, representing an 8.7% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 433 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.3%.

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

Exports folding paperboard boxes from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of folding paperboard boxes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 921 tonnes, which is 9.0% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 40.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 691 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 12.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 47.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of folding paperboard boxes from Croatia in physical terms were Slovenia, accounting for 32.9% of exports, Serbia with 32.7%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of total exports.

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 folding paperboard boxes in monetary terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 17 335 thousand US dollars, a 5.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 64.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.1%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Serbia led the structure of exports in value terms with 34.3%, followed by Slovenia at 25.9%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 68.9% 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 folding paperboard boxes to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's import volume of folding paperboard boxes declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 8 959 tonnes, representing a significant 13.0% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 300 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 27.3% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key sources for imports in physical terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina, accounting for 20.6% of imports, Austria at 16.6%, and Poland at 16.5%. Together, these three countries made up 53.7% 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 folding paperboard boxes in monetary terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 23 976 thousand US dollars, a solid 10.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 028 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key sources for imports in value terms were Poland, accounting for 19.9% of imports, Austria at 19.8%, and Germany at 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 53.6% 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