Fresh or chilled beef market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the fresh beef market in Croatia remained stable at around 40,000 tonnes annually. In 2020, market volume contracted by 4% to 38,787 tonnes, primarily due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected supply chains and consumer behavior.

The market recovered in 2021 and 2022, reaching 41,207 tonnes, as post-pandemic conditions normalized. However, in 2023, volume fell sharply by 10% to 37,020 tonnes, driven by rising livestock prices that increased production costs and made beef less affordable for consumers.

A strong rebound occurred in 2024, with market volume jumping 19% to 44,135 tonnes. This surge was largely fueled by a tax reform that reduced VAT on fresh meat to 13%, lowering retail prices and stimulating demand. Concurrently, new EU-origin labeling rules enhanced transparency for buyers.

Production fresh or chilled beef in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's production of fresh or chilled beef declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 131.5 million US dollars, down 4.9% from the previous year. Production increased by 4.3% between 2017 and 2020, averaging 1.4% annually. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 138.3 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production of fresh or chilled beef fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output totaled 25 641 tonnes, a 5.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 6.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 28 440 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.6%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of fresh or chilled beef declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 5 287 tonnes, falling 18.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.4%, averaging 1.4% per year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 6 522 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 28.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently led Croatia's export destinations by volume. Italy accounted for 47.2% of exports, Slovenia for 15.8%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 15.0%, together making up 77.9% of total 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

After two years of growth, Croatia's exports of fresh or chilled beef declined. In 2020, exports totaled 26 044 thousand US dollars, a 19.4% year-on-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7.8%, averaging 2.5% annually. The peak value was in 2019 at 32 318 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 33.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary remained the top destinations for Croatia's exports by value. Italy held 57.7% of exports, Slovenia 15.5%, and Hungary 9.1%, collectively accounting for 82.3% of total 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 fresh or chilled beef to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Croatia's imports of fresh or chilled beef declined. In 2020, imports reached 18 433 tonnes, down 6.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 2.6%, with an average annual growth of 0.9%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 19 666 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Italy were the leading sources for Croatia's imports by volume. Poland accounted for 34.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 33.2%, and Italy for 11.3%, together representing 79.2% of total 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

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of fresh or chilled beef declined. In 2020, imports totaled 80 730 thousand US dollars, a 9.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.2%, averaging 2.7% per year. The peak value was in 2019 at 80 730 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy were the main sources for Croatia's imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 37.6% of imports, Poland for 27.7%, and Italy for 12.8%, together making up 78.1% of total flows.

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

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