Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for fresh or chilled whole chickens in Croatia saw its volume gradually increase from 21 500 t to around 23 400 t, with a peak of 24 100 t in 2020 followed by a slight contraction.

A key development occurred in April 2022 when the Croatian government temporarily reduced the value-added tax on fresh poultry meat to 5% for one year. This measure lowered consumer prices, supporting market growth which continued into 2023 and accelerated significantly in 2024, with the market volume reaching 30 100 t.

In value terms, the market expanded from $60.1 million to $110.9 million over the same period, driven by the rising volume and underlying price increases.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens experienced a decline in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. The output value dropped by 6.6% year-over-year to reach 61 712 thousand US dollars. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 13.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest production value was recorded in 2019 at 66 043 thousand US dollars, with the most significant annual increase occurring in 2018 at 11.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following two years of expansion, Croatia's production volume of fresh or chilled whole chickens decreased in 2020. The country produced 24 043 metric tons, representing a slight decline of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.2%, averaging a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak production volume was achieved in 2019 with 24 182 metric tons, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 10.5%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens have been growing steadily, marking their third consecutive year of increase in 2020. The export volume reached 679.3 metric tons, showing a moderate year-over-year growth of 6.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports expanded significantly by 37%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.1%.

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

From 2017 through 2020, Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro consistently dominated Croatia's export markets for fresh or chilled whole chickens in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 96.4% of total export flows throughout this period.

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 export value of fresh or chilled whole chickens continued its upward trajectory in 2020, marking the third straight year of growth. The country exported 1 474 thousand US dollars worth of these products, representing a substantial 12.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value surged by 44%, averaging an annual growth rate of 12.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro consistently led Croatia's export markets in value terms. Slovenia accounted for 50.5% of export value, followed by North Macedonia at 28.4% and Montenegro at 17.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 96.1% of total export value during this period.

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 whole chickens to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of fresh or chilled whole chickens into Croatia showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. After reaching a low point of 208.6 metric tons in 2018, imports surged to 698.2 metric tons in 2020, representing a dramatic 58.4% increase from the previous year. The overall fluctuation was substantial, with 2020 imports being 3.3 times higher than the 2018 minimum. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 63.8%, while the largest increase took place in 2019 at 111.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy formed the core of Croatia's import markets for fresh or chilled whole chickens in volume terms. Slovenia accounted for 40.5% of imports, Hungary for 37.8%, and Italy for 12.5%. Together, these three countries represented 90.8% 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

Croatia's import value of fresh or chilled whole chickens exhibited significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. After dropping to a low of 423 thousand US dollars in 2018, import value rebounded sharply to reach 1 674 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing an impressive 83.4% year-over-year increase. The overall fluctuation was even more pronounced in value terms, with 2020 imports being four times higher than the 2018 minimum. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 57.7%, while the largest increase took place in 2019 at 115.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia and Hungary consistently dominated Croatia's import markets for fresh or chilled whole chickens in value terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 82.5% of total import value, with the remaining share distributed among various other markets.

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

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