Gears, gear boxes and speed changers market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian market for gears, gear boxes, and speed changers showed volatile volume movements from 2018 to 2024, with sharp peaks in 2020, 2022, and 2024 interspersed with contractions. State-owned enterprises have been a consistent presence in the country's industrial landscape, providing underlying structure to the sector. The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted international supply chains and manufacturing patterns, which contributed to a significant recalibration of production and a surge in domestic output that year, lifting the market volume above 13 000 tonnes.

Following a drop in 2023, the market recovered strongly in 2024, exceeding 13 900 tonnes. This rebound coincided with the implementation of administrative easing measures designed to reduce business burdens and stimulate economic activity. Furthermore, new EU-wide sustainability reporting rules (CSRD) and packaging regulations (PPWR) began to reshape the operational framework for manufacturers, while specialized upskilling programs in mechanical engineering aimed at enhancing industry capabilities.

Production gears, gear boxes and speed changers in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 8 528 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.9% decrease compared to 2019. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 10 105 thousand US dollars, which represented an 8.9% increase from the previous year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.3% drop. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.1%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Croatia produced 12 893 tonnes of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers, which is a significant 60.5% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline in production was recorded in 2019, with a 7.1% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 74.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 20.5%.

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

Exports gears, gear boxes and speed changers from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 349.0 tonnes, showing a modest 5.7% year-on-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the main destinations for Croatia's exports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers in volume terms. Italy accounted for 38.1% of exports, Germany for 22.2%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 8.8%. Together, these three countries absorbed 69.2% of total exports.

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 gears, gear boxes, and speed changers declined. In 2020, export value amounted to 6 899 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 22.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 8 863 thousand US dollars, following the largest increase of 62.9% in 2018. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 66.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the primary markets for Croatia's exports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers in value terms. Germany accounted for 45.6% of exports, Italy for 25.2%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 4.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.1% of total export 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 gears, gear boxes and speed changers to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's imports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers totaled 829.7 tonnes, down by 1.1% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 709.1 tonnes, which saw a 4.8% decline. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2019 at 839.2 tonnes, marking an 18.3% increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia formed the key group of partners for Croatia's imports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers in volume terms. Italy accounted for 34.1% of imports, Germany for 20.7%, and Slovenia for 8.7%. Together, these countries represented 63.5% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers from abroad declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 16 240 thousand US dollars, showing a strong contraction of 14.8% compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 19 062 thousand US dollars, following the largest increase of 41.7% in 2018. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the main sources for Croatia's imports of gears, gear boxes, and speed changers in value terms. Germany accounted for 35.6% of imports, Italy for 20.5%, and Austria for 8.4%. Together, these three countries absorbed 64.5% of total imports.

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

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