Milk and cream market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian milk and cream market saw initial expansion in 2018 as dairy policy reforms made the regulatory framework more competition-friendly, easing entry for new domestic processors. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in per-capita consumption and forced dairy plants to adopt stricter hygiene protocols, leading to a contraction in market volume.

After a period of stabilization in 2021, the market rebounded strongly in 2022. A key driver was the government's introduction of a subsidy for raw-milk purchase costs, which supported small-scale producers and boosted domestic output. Simultaneously, the rising popularity of plant-based alternatives prompted the local brand Dukat to launch new lactose-free and protein-enriched fluid milk products, expanding the segment and stimulating consumer interest.

In the latter part of the period, strategic investments and global supply pressures shaped the market. In 2023, the state-owned dairy company Euro-MILK invested in new pasteurization and filling lines to improve production efficiency. The following year, a surge in EU freight costs due to Red Sea logistics disruptions raised import prices for dairy ingredients, encouraging processors to increase the share of domestically sourced milk in cream blends, while new government subsidies aimed to stabilize milk supply.

Production milk and cream in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's milk and cream production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 204.9 million US dollars, down 2.6% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 215.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

In 2020, Croatia produced 259.7 thousand tonnes of milk and cream, showing a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. The peak production was in 2019 at 265.3 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.6%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

Croatia exported 30.2 thousand tonnes of milk and cream in 2020, representing a 22.4% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 35.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Croatia's milk and cream exports in volume terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina (34.3% of exports), Serbia (23.8% of exports), and Italy (14.7% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.9% 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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of milk and cream exports from Croatia stood at 17.4 million US dollars, marking a 19.7% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 42.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.6%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 6.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 27.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of Croatian milk and cream in value terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina (30.6% of exports), Serbia (22.2% of exports), and Slovenia (13.8% of exports). These three markets jointly accounted for 66.5% 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 milk and cream to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

Croatia's milk and cream import volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 206.0 thousand tonnes, which is 5.6% lower than the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 219.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of milk and cream to Croatia in volume terms were Slovenia (39.3% of imports), Hungary (29.4% of imports), and Slovakia (12.8% of imports). Together, these three countries made up 81.5% of total import volumes.

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

In 2020, Croatia's milk and cream imports totalled 92.0 million US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 10.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 102.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Croatia's milk and cream imports in value terms were Slovenia (36.5% of imports), Hungary (26.7% of imports), and Slovakia (11.3% of imports). These three markets together accounted for 74.5% 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