Furniture and its parts market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian furniture market faced competitiveness challenges in 2018, including unfavorable exchange rate policies, legal uncertainties, and administrative barriers, as highlighted in the national development strategy for wood processing and furniture manufacturing. Despite these headwinds, market size increased to 339.7 million $ by 2019. In 2020, market volume contracted to 303.5 million $, prompting the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) to introduce interest subsidy measures and credit insurance premium co-financing for wood and furniture entrepreneurs to bolster sector resilience.

From 2021 onward, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 369.1 million $ that year and growing to 490.6 million $ by 2024. This expansion was underpinned by the National Development Plan for Wood Processing and Furniture Manufacturing 2022–2030, which provided strategic direction and support for energy efficiency and climate mitigation. Continued state aid and HBOR credit lines, along with a focus on technological advancement and sustainability, fueled production growth. Additionally, rising consumer interest in custom and designer furniture, coupled with the expansion of retail chains and distribution networks, drove market demand forward. Legislative adjustments related to the adoption of the euro also influenced the operating environment.

Production furniture and its parts in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's furniture and parts production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 213.0 million US dollars, but fell by 9.5% to 192.8 million US dollars in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.0%.

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

Exports furniture and its parts from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of furniture and parts declined for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports stood at a higher level, but dropped by 7.3% to 26 072 tonnes in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia were the main destinations for Croatia's furniture and parts exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 33.8% of exports, Austria for 11.0%, and Slovenia for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 53.2% 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, M $ US

Croatia's furniture and parts exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports reached their highest value at 119.4 million US dollars, with a 7.9% increase that year. By 2020, exports had fallen by 2.8% to 115.1 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4%, averaging 1.3% growth per year.

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

The market base for Croatia's furniture and parts exports in value terms was diverse from 2017 to 2020. Germany was the largest destination with 30.8% of exports, followed by Austria at 10.9% and Slovenia at 7.5%. These three countries together accounted for 49.2% of total flows, while the remaining 50.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Croatia in value, 2017-2020

Imports furniture and its parts to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of furniture and parts declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 88 875 tonnes, with a 10.4% increase that year, but fell by 6.1% to 83 483 tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13%, averaging 4.2% growth per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the main sources for Croatia's furniture and parts imports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 32.3% of imports, Germany for 12.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 10.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 55.0% of total import 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Croatia's furniture and parts imports declined. In 2018, imports saw the largest increase of 22.5%, and in 2019, they reached their peak at 245.1 million US dollars. By 2020, imports had fallen by 7.9% to 225.8 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 13.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Italy were the leading sources for Croatia's furniture and parts imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 20.5% of imports, Poland for 19.8%, and Italy for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 53.1% 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