For retail sale medicaments with alkaloids market in Croatia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian market for retail-packed alkaloid medicaments was shaped by regulatory changes starting in 2018, when the adoption of the Medicinal Products Act introduced new criteria for marketing authorization, pricing, and reimbursement. Continued implementation of these rules, along with increased inspections by the national agency HALMED, influenced market entry and contributed to a gradual decline in market size to $25.3 million by 2020. That year, COVID-19 pandemic-related supply-chain disruptions caused temporary shortages of imported products, prompting the government to issue emergency import licences to mitigate the deficit.

Recovery began in 2021 as supply chains stabilized and electronic submission of marketing-authorisation dossiers facilitated faster entry of new products. Growth was temporarily moderated in 2022 after the state health insurer HZZO introduced a reference-price system for over-the-counter alkaloid drugs, affecting pricing. However, strong expansion resumed in 2023 with the implementation of a mandatory electronic traceability code on retail batches, which helped combat counterfeit medicines and expanded the legal market. In 2024, further growth was supported by regulatory revisions allowing accelerated approval of innovative alkaloid-based therapies and a national programme to certify GMP-compliant manufacturing plants, encouraging new facility investment and supply-side development.

Production for retail sale medicaments with alkaloids in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 17 569 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decline of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%.

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

Exports for retail sale medicaments with alkaloids from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's exports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids declined. In 2020, export volume reached 3.8 tonnes, which is 16.1% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 106.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 27.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4.5 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 68.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Russia, and Slovenia were the largest contributors to Croatia's exports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 36.4% of exports, Russia for 18.8%, and Slovenia for 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 72.1% 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 retail sale medicaments with alkaloids increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, export value amounted to 1 795 thousand US dollars, showing a robust rise of 16.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 329.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 62.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Slovenia, and Russia were the main destinations for Croatia's exports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids in value terms. Belgium accounted for 62.3% of exports, Slovenia for 17.4%, and Russia for 6.0%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 85.7% 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 for retail sale medicaments with alkaloids to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 82.8 tonnes, reflecting a decrease of 19.7% year-over-year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 103.1 tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 91.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's imports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Slovenia, which accounted for 74.1% of total flows. Other countries together formed the remaining share.

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 increase, Croatia's imports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids declined in value terms. In 2020, import value was recorded at 9 480 thousand US dollars, which is 23.7% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 417 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 37.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Austria were the main sources for Croatia's imports of retail sale medicaments with alkaloids in value terms. Slovenia accounted for 47.5% of imports, the United Kingdom for 12.3%, and Austria for 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 67.5% 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