Metal office furniture market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian metal office furniture market expanded from 2.1 million units in 2018 to 2.4 million units in 2019. This growth was supported by a reduction in the VAT rate to 5% for first-category furniture, which lowered consumer prices, alongside increased construction activity and renovation projects in schools and healthcare facilities that boosted orders. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced overall demand as offices closed, pulling the market volume down to 2.2 million units, but it simultaneously accelerated the shift to hybrid work, spurring the development of flexible metal desks and chairs adapted for home offices.

Market volume continued to decline to 2.0 million units in 2021 as pandemic effects lingered, despite new investment incentives and tax breaks for production facilities introduced that year. A sharp drop to 1.5 million units in 2022 coincided with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which raised import costs for metal components and encouraged manufacturers to switch to locally sourced low‑carbon steel. Recovery followed in 2023, with volume rebounding to 2.3 million units, driven by stricter enforcement against undeclared work that increased the share of legitimate producers, as well as rising tourism which fueled demand for metal furniture in hotel lobbies and coworking spaces. The market stabilized at 2.3 million units in 2024, underpinned by EU environmental policies like ‘Fit for 55’ and new reporting rules on recycled content that promoted the use of green steel in production.

Production metal office furniture in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's metal office furniture production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 18 451 thousand US dollars, representing a modest 4.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 267 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Croatia produced 1 133 thousand units of metal office furniture in 2020, down 23.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 064 thousand units, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 1 473 thousand units. The largest annual increase of 38.5% was also recorded in 2019.

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

Exports metal office furniture from Croatia

Exports in kind, K unit

After two years of growth, Croatia's metal office furniture exports declined in 2020. Exports totaled 141 thousand units, representing a significant 22.3% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 30.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 181 thousand units, which also saw the largest annual increase of 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (22.9% of exports in kind), Germany (17.2%), and Montenegro (12.8%) were the primary destinations for Croatia's metal office furniture exports. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.0% 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 metal office furniture export volumes declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 000 thousand US dollars, indicating a gradual 6.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 54%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 070 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (21.9% of exports in value terms), Switzerland (18.0%), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (12.4%) were the main buyers of Croatian metal office furniture. Together, these three countries accounted for 52.3% 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 metal office furniture to Croatia

Imports in kind, K unit

Croatia's metal office furniture imports reached 1 173 thousand units in 2020, representing a 6.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 14.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest annual decline of 6.0% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 13.7% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (21.6% of imports in kind), Hungary (15.5%), and Italy (15.1%) were the leading sources of metal office furniture imports to Croatia. Together, these three countries accounted for 52.2% 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 metal office furniture imports were valued at 4 108 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a moderate 3.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The largest annual decline of 0.1% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 8.0% was recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of metal office furniture to Croatia in value terms were relatively diversified. Italy (19.8% of imports in value terms), Hungary (14.9%), and Poland (14.8%) were the top sources, but together they accounted for only 49.5% 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