Leather apparel market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the leather apparel market in Croatia exhibited considerable volatility. In 2018, the market size reached 2.2 million $ US, supported by overall growth in the textile industry and the entry of large retailers selling high volumes of clothing at low prices, which increased general apparel accessibility. The market then contracted to 1.6 million $ US in 2019 before recovering to 2.2 million $ US in 2020.

Market expansion resumed from 2021 onward, peaking at nearly 3.0 million $ US that year. After a modest dip in 2022, growth continued, driving the market to 3.4 million $ US by 2024. This later period was shaped by changing consumer behavior due to economic instability in 2023, and in 2024 by a growing consumer interest in sustainable fashion and the adoption of a regional development strategy for the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear industry in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, which bolstered the sector's prospects.

Production leather apparel in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's leather apparel production has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 403.4 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp year-over-year drop of 34.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 47.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 19.1%.

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

Exports leather apparel from Croatia

Exports in kind, kg

After rising for two years, leather apparel exports from Croatia declined in 2020. Exports reached 19 514 kg that year, showing a significant year-over-year decrease of 50.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 16.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 39 229 kg, which also saw the largest increase of 64.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Italy consistently led Croatia's leather apparel exports by volume. Germany accounted for 32.3% of exports, Austria for 28.3%, and Italy for 22.3%. Together, these three countries represented 82.9% 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

Croatia's leather apparel exports in 2020 amounted to 1 873 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 41.2% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 185 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 33.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Italy were the main markets for Croatia's leather apparel exports by value. Germany accounted for 37.0% of exports, Austria for 31.7%, and Italy for 17.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 86.5% 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 to Croatia

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Croatia's leather apparel imports totaled 49 086 kg, indicating a 5.7% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 47 766 kg, which saw the largest decline of 17.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Austria were the primary sources of leather apparel imports to Croatia by volume. Germany accounted for 28.5% of imports, Spain for 18.9%, and Austria for 12.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.3% 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

Croatia's leather apparel imports in 2020 reached 3 712 thousand US dollars, down by 11.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 4.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Italy were the main sources of leather apparel imports to Croatia by value. Germany accounted for 23.5% of imports, Spain for 18.7%, and Italy for 17.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 60.1% 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