Leather apparel and accessories market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for leather and composition leather apparel and accessories in Croatia, measured in value, contracted to 8.6 million USD in 2019 but then entered a period of expansion. From 2020 to 2024, the market value increased consistently, rising from 8.9 million USD to 12.5 million USD, with a particularly sharp rise of over 20% in 2021.

This growth phase was supported by shifts in consumer fashion preferences. In 2022 and 2023, trends such as oversized blazers and a comeback of denim clothing (the 'Canadian tuxedo') influenced the fashion segment, boosting demand for leather apparel as a complementary style element. These trends helped sustain market value growth even as domestic production remained volatile.

Production leather apparel and accessories in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's leather apparel and accessories production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 442 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 12.7% drop compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 1 812 thousand US dollars, which represented the largest annual increase of 39.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.1%, averaging 3.6% per year.

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

Exports leather apparel and accessories from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia exported 53.8 tonnes of leather apparel and accessories in 2020, showing a sharp 30.9% decrease from 2019. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 at 77.8 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 13.3% recorded that year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 26.1%, declining at an average annual rate of 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the main destinations for Croatia's leather apparel and accessories exports by volume. Slovenia accounted for 22.6% of exports, Germany for 15.2%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.8%. Together, these three countries made up 51.6% 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

In 2020, the value of leather apparel and accessories exported from Croatia was 3 105 thousand US dollars, a 28.3% decline from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 331 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Italy consistently led as the top destinations for Croatia's leather apparel and accessories exports by value. Germany contributed 27.3% of export value, Austria 22.7%, and Italy 13.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 63.4% 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 leather apparel and accessories to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of leather apparel and accessories by volume fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 330.5 tonnes, a moderate 5.1% decrease year-over-year. The peak was in 2018 at 380.3 tonnes, which had the largest annual increase of 0.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 12.4%, averaging a 4.3% annual decline.

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

During 2017-2020, Pakistan, India, and Germany were the largest suppliers of leather apparel and accessories to Croatia by volume. Pakistan accounted for 13.7% of imports, India for 13.3%, and Germany for 12.3%. However, their combined share was only 39.3% of total imports, indicating a diversified sourcing structure.

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

Imports of leather apparel and accessories into Croatia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 10 562 thousand US dollars, a modest 6.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 11 266 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports by value were spread across a broad range of partner countries. Germany led with 18.1% of import value, followed by Italy at 17.0% and Spain at 9.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 44.6% 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