Fresh grapes market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian fresh grape market displayed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 155.1 thousand tonnes in 2018, market volume fell sharply to 119.1 thousand tonnes the following year, then rebounded to 133.1 thousand tonnes in 2020. A gradual contraction followed, bringing the market to 127.2 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 106.2 thousand tonnes by the end of the period.

A modest market recovery to 127.8 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022. This stabilization was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's public call for investment incentives in the processing and marketing of agricultural products within the wine sector, a measure that bolstered domestic grape cultivation. Concurrently, lasting changes in consumer habits following the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased support for local producers, helped maintain demand for fresh grapes.

This trend reversed in 2023, when the market volume declined significantly to 106.2 thousand tonnes, alongside a drop in domestic production to 94.9 thousand tonnes.

Production fresh grapes in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Croatia produced 123.6 thousand tons of fresh grapes in 2020, marking a 14.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 108.3 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 146.2 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 25.9%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a rise of 25.7%.

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

Exports fresh grapes from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Croatia exported 369 tons of fresh grapes in 2020, which is 134.8% higher than the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 157 tons, with the highest in 2020, resulting in a 2.3-fold gap between these years. The largest decline was noted in 2018 with a decrease of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain were the main destinations for Croatia's fresh grape exports, together accounting for 80.4% of total exports in volume. Slovenia led with 57.1% of exports, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 12.0%, and Spain at 11.4%.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, Croatia's fresh grape exports reached 438 thousand US dollars, a 211.8% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 134 thousand US dollars, with the highest in 2020, showing a 3.3-fold fluctuation between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 13.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, Spain, and Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the primary destinations for Croatia's fresh grape exports in value terms, collectively making up 76.1% of total exports. Slovenia accounted for 52.1% of exports, Spain for 14.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 9.8%.

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 grapes to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia imported 9 926 tons of fresh grapes, which is 9.3% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 9 062 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 10 949 tons. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a rise of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germany were the main suppliers of fresh grapes to Croatia, jointly representing 80.4% of total imports in volume. Italy dominated with 64.5% of imports, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 10.1%, and Germany at 5.8%.

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 imported fresh grapes worth 14 419 thousand US dollars in 2020, indicating a significant decline of 10.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 11 148 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 14 419 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 29.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina topped the list of suppliers for Croatia's fresh grape imports in value terms, with their combined share reaching 79.9% of total imports. Italy led with 65.4% of imports, followed by Germany at 7.7%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 6.9%.

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

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