Grape wine market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Croatian grape wine market volume initially grew to 86 373 тыс. л in 2019, supported by the completion of the national wine sector aid program and a consumer shift towards higher-quality wines. A decline to 78 660 тыс. л followed in 2020 as climatic changes affected domestic production. The market rebounded to 84 444 тыс. л in 2021 after the introduction of new wine zones in legislation, which helped vineyards adapt to climate conditions and supported output.

From 2022 to 2024, regulatory changes played a key role. The new Winemaking Rulebook that took effect in 2022, along with preparations for mandatory nutritional labeling, coincided with market stabilization at 84 436 тыс. л. In 2023, despite the entry of new distributors such as Vinea Gold, the market volume fell to 75 013 тыс. л amid rising imports and ongoing climate-related production challenges. By 2024, strengthened control measures and increased investment contributed to a partial recovery, with volume reaching 77 914 тыс. л.

Production grape wine in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's grape wine production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 137.0 million US dollars, marking a significant 25.9% drop compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 7.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 191.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 12.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia ranked 30th globally in grape wine production.

Top producers of grape wine, 2017-2020

World map of production of grape wine, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Croatia's grape wine production saw a decline. In 2020, the country produced 57,586 thousand liters, showing a notable 13.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 66,749 thousand liters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Exports grape wine from Croatia

Exports in kind, K l

Croatia's grape wine exports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 3,469 thousand liters, down 34.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 32.9%, with an average annual decline of 12.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 5,686 thousand liters, which also saw the largest increase of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (31.0% of exports in volume), Germany (17.1%), and Czechia (14.1%) were the top destinations for Croatia's grape wine exports, together accounting for 62.3% 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

Croatia's grape wine export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 14,300 thousand US dollars, a 19.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 2.3%, equivalent to an average annual drop of 0.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 19,039 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 30.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (29.5% of exports in value), Germany (17.6%), and Montenegro (7.0%) remained the leading destinations for Croatia's grape wine exports, collectively making up 54.1% 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 grape wine to Croatia

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Croatia's grape wine import volume reached 24,543 thousand liters, a slight decline of 1.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.7%, with an average annual reduction of 3.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 24,140 thousand liters, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia (49.3% of imports in volume), Italy (12.5%), and Serbia (11.4%) were the main sources of grape wine imports to Croatia, together representing 73.2% of total imports.

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 grape wine import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 31,322 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 12.5% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 2.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 35,967 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia (30.0% of imports in value), France (18.5%), and Italy (15.8%) accounted for the largest share of Croatia's grape wine imports, together comprising 64.4% 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