Leather articles market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Croatia's leather articles market grew from USD 30.1 million in 2018 to USD 33.2 million in 2019, but then contracted sharply to USD 24.7 million in 2020. This decline was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced turnover in the leather manufacturing sector by over 18%.

The market rebounded strongly after the pandemic, reaching USD 29.2 million in 2021 and surging to USD 45.0 million in 2022. It peaked at USD 48.5 million in 2023 before declining to USD 41.3 million in 2024. During this period, the industry adapted to evolving EU-wide regulations, such as the General Product Safety Regulation, while consumer preferences increasingly shifted towards sustainable and ethically sourced leather goods.

Production leather articles in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, leather goods production in Croatia experienced a decline. In 2019, output reached its peak at 178.5 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 151.7 million US dollars, representing a significant 15.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 11.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 3.7%.

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

Exports leather articles from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's exports of leather goods amounted to 1 264 tonnes, marking a substantial 15.0% decrease compared to 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 23.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 4.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 32%, averaging an annual decline of 12.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Austria, and Portugal emerged as the primary markets for Croatia's leather goods exports by volume. Romania accounted for 29.0% of exports, Austria for 13.2%, and Portugal for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 54.5% of Croatia's total export flows in this category.

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, M $ US

Croatia's leather goods exports were valued at 139.2 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a sharp 12.3% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.4%, with an average annual drop of 6.2%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Austria, and Hungary stood out as the leading markets for Croatia's leather goods exports by value. Romania accounted for 34.6% of export value, Austria for 21.7%, and Hungary for 7.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 64.0% of Croatia's total export value in this sector.

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 articles to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia imported 319 tonnes of leather goods in 2020, showing a strong 16.8% increase compared to 2019. However, imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 273 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 27.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.2%, averaging an annual decline of 5.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently dominated Croatia's leather goods imports by volume. Slovenia accounted for 31.8% of imports, Slovakia for 27.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 72.3% of Croatia's total import flows in this category.

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, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of leather goods to Croatia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 12.1 million US dollars, representing a substantial 10.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 48%, averaging an annual decline of 19.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the primary sources for Croatia's leather goods imports by value. Slovenia accounted for 41.8% of import value, Slovakia for 23.4%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.4% of Croatia's total import value in this sector.

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

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