Milk powder market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the milk powder market in Croatia experienced notable fluctuations in volume, peaking at 6 007 t in 2019 and again at 5 961 t in 2021. The initial growth in 2019 was partly supported by ongoing EU subsidies and support programs for dairy farmers, which aimed to enhance production efficiency within the sector. However, domestic production of milk powder began a gradual decline during this period, while import volumes remained high to meet market demand.

A sharp contraction in domestic output occurred from 2022 onward, with production falling to 144 t that year. This aligned with projections of a slight decline in Croatian dairy production overall. Increased subsidies from EU member states and the adoption of advanced processing technologies were implemented to support farmers and maintain quality standards, but they did not reverse the downturn in milk powder manufacturing. Consequently, the market became increasingly reliant on imports, which stayed above 5 400 t annually from 2022 to 2024 to sustain market volume.

Regulatory developments also shaped the market environment. The publication of the EU Ordinance on Condensed Milk and Milk Powder in 2023 established harmonized quality requirements for production and marketing, integrating Croatia's rules with EU directives. This regulatory clarity, alongside continued EU and national legislation on hygiene, traceability, and labeling, provided a stable framework. Consumer preferences concurrently shifted toward convenient, long shelf-life dairy products, supporting demand for milk powder despite the domestic production slump.

Production milk powder in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's milk powder production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 525 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.6%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 2 783 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 18.9% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest decline of 8.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

Milk powder production in Croatia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia produced 721.0 tonnes of milk powder, representing a modest contraction of 1.5% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.9%, averaging a 2.9% annual growth rate. The peak production volume occurred in 2018 at 757.0 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.4%. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a decline of 3.3%.

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

Exports milk powder from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Croatia's cross-border shipments of milk powder declined. In 2020, exports totaled 91 tonnes, down sharply by 45.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 29.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 165 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Germany were the core destinations for Croatia's milk powder exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 32.1% of exports, Slovenia for 31.3%, and Germany for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 75.1% 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 milk powder exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 354 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep fall of 68.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 56%, with an average annual decrease of 24.0%. The peak export value was in 2018 at 1 211 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 50.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Germany formed the key group of partners for Croatia's milk powder exports in value terms. The Netherlands led with 56.6% of exports, followed by Slovenia at 16.8% and Germany at 12.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 86.0% 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 milk powder to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's milk powder imports totaled 4 502 tonnes, showing a strong decrease of 17.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 6.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 4 472 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 5 440 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Germany were the principal suppliers of milk powder to Croatia in volume terms. Poland accounted for 39.3% of imports, Czechia for 26.9%, and Germany for 11.4%. Together, these three countries made up 77.7% of total imports.

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

In 2020, foreign milk powder supplies to Croatia reached 13 333 thousand US dollars, reflecting a drop of 3.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest import value was in 2018 at 10 633 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 13 766 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 11.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 29.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Poland, Czechia, and Germany remained the main markets for Croatia's milk powder imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 37.9% of imports, Czechia for 25.6%, and Germany for 14.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 77.9% 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