Glass fibres and articles thereof market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian market for glass fibres and articles experienced mixed movements between 2018 and 2021. Market volume declined slightly from 13,358 tonnes in 2018 to 12,925 tonnes in 2019, then recovered to 13,811 tonnes in 2020. A sharp expansion occurred in 2021, with volume reaching 17,381 tonnes, a 26% increase from the previous year. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, contracting to $26.5 million in 2019 before surging to $44.0 million in 2021. This growth was driven by a rise in imports, which increased by 29% to 20,773 tonnes in 2021, and a recovery in domestic production, which grew by 28% to 4,414 tonnes.

From 2022 to 2024, available trade data shows fluctuations in import and export flows. Imports peaked at 21,659 tonnes in 2022 but dropped by 21% to 17,165 tonnes in 2023, before partially recovering to 19,776 tonnes in 2024. Exports varied between 6,937 and 7,806 tonnes over these years, with a notable decline in 2022 followed by modest changes. Without full market size figures for this period, the overall market trajectory is less clear, but the trade data suggests adjustments in supply chains and external demand.

Production glass fibres and articles thereof in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of glass fibres and related articles experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 18 037 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 17 604 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.4% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.3%, which translates to an average annual increase of 3.6%. The most significant year-on-year rise occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 6.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Croatia produced 3 460 tonnes of glass fibres and related articles, marking a gradual year-on-year decline of 9.6%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 14.5%, averaging an annual drop of 5.1%. The only increase during this period was recorded in 2019, when production rose by 1.0%.

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

Exports glass fibres and articles thereof from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of glass fibres and related articles stood at 5 719 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a controlled year-on-year decrease of 8.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 666 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 6 213 tonnes. The most substantial increase happened in 2019, when exports surged by 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Italy were consistently the top destinations for Croatia's exports of glass fibres and related articles in volume terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 27.8% of exports, Germany for 20.3%, and Italy for 18.3%. Together, these three countries represented 66.4% 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, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Croatia's exports of glass fibres and related articles declined in 2020. The export value reached its highest point in 2019 at 17 585 thousand US dollars, but fell to 17 121 thousand US dollars in 2020, a decrease of 2.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The most notable rise occurred in 2019, with a 4.9% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated Croatia's export structure in value terms. Italy led with 25.5% of exports, followed by Germany at 23.0%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 16.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 64.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports glass fibres and articles thereof to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of glass fibres and related articles continued to grow for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching approximately 16 070 tonnes. This represented a 5.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018, when imports remained essentially unchanged.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Czechia, Slovakia, and Italy were the primary sources for Croatia's imports of glass fibres and related articles in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 24.0% of imports, Slovakia for 15.1%, and Italy for 11.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 50.1% 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

In 2020, Croatia's import value of glass fibres and related articles totaled 27 154 thousand US dollars, showing a 4.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 550 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when imports dropped by 5.4%, while the largest increase happened in 2018 with a 14.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia's imports of glass fibres and related articles in value terms came from a diverse range of markets. The top three suppliers were Czechia with 20.6% of imports, Slovakia with 11.4%, and Latvia with 10.2%. Together, these countries accounted for 42.3% of total import value, while numerous smaller destinations made up the remaining 57.7%.

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

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