Fresh cheese and curd market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cheese and curd in Croatia expanded from 19.1 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 24.9 thousand tonnes in 2024, driven by several key developments. The entry of new producers like Mlekara Farmer in 2018 added variety to the market, while growing consumer interest in traditional, locally-sold fresh cheese supported demand. In 2020, the introduction of mandatory HACCP certification streamlined small-scale production, and a simultaneous rise in family farms (OPGs) making fresh cheese as a side income helped maintain domestic output.

From 2021 onward, healthy eating trends continued to boost consumption, and regulatory moves played a direct role. The government’s price freeze on 70 essential foods in 2024, which included fresh cheese, made it more affordable, spurring retail demand. Earlier, plans to align labeling with EU rules (2022) and stricter raw milk controls (2023) aimed at improving quality. Additionally, a 2024 amendment allowing direct sales of up to 20 000 liters per year at markets eased distribution for small producers, and a noted shift in global trade opportunities encouraged Croatian manufacturers to explore export markets.

Production fresh cheese and curd in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's fresh cheese and curd production, measured in monetary value, rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 38 762 thousand US dollars, but then increased by 4.9% in 2020 to 40 675 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 7.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of decline, Croatia's fresh cheese and curd production in physical terms showed signs of recovery. In 2019, production hit its lowest level at 14 556 tonnes, but then rose by 4.8% in 2020 to 15 261 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 4.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018, when production fell by 6.0%.

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

Exports fresh cheese and curd from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's fresh cheese and curd exports in physical terms rebounded strongly after two years of decline. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 2 950 tonnes, but then surged by 12.1% in 2020 to 3 307 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The smallest decline occurred in 2019, when exports decreased by just 0.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Serbia consistently dominated Croatia's fresh cheese and curd exports in physical terms, collectively accounting for 85.8% of total export volumes.

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 fresh cheese and curd exports in monetary value showed robust growth in 2020. After declining by 4.1% in 2019, exports rebounded with a 12.7% increase in 2020 to reach 11 011 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (41.7% of export value), Slovenia (25.2%), and Serbia (18.5%) were Croatia's primary markets for fresh cheese and curd in monetary terms, together representing 85.5% 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 fresh cheese and curd to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's fresh cheese and curd imports in physical terms continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 8 402 tonnes, marking a moderate increase of 4.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 36%, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (55.8% of import volume), Italy (14.3%), and Poland (7.7%) were the main sources of Croatia's fresh cheese and curd imports in physical terms, collectively accounting for 77.8% of total import volumes.

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 growth, Croatia's fresh cheese and curd imports in monetary value experienced a slight decline. In 2019, imports peaked at 24 715 thousand US dollars, but then showed only marginal fluctuation in 2020, settling at 24 582 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 33.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when imports jumped by 22.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (52.3% of import value), Italy (21.2%), and Austria (7.3%) remained the principal sources of Croatia's fresh cheese and curd imports in monetary terms, together comprising 80.7% 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