Mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for mixes and doughs in Croatia expanded from 11 058 t to 12 071 t in volume. The industry was characterized by a stable base of 929 entrepreneurs and dominant producers like Mlinar, Pan-Pek, and Zagrebačke pekarne Klara, supported by domestic yeast and additive production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumer behavior, increasing demand for more economical baking options, which contributed to higher volume consumption while reducing the average market value as spending shifted towards lower-cost products. Concurrently, new regulations on flour and bakery product production set minimum extraction rates and usage limits, introducing stricter reporting requirements.

Following a slight volume dip to 11 953 t in 2021, the market surged by 15.4% to 13 790 t in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by government anti-inflation measures, including direct retail price controls on basic ingredients like flour implemented from September 2022, which made inputs more affordable and stimulated consumption. The same year saw amended Cereals and Cereal Products Regulations that specified new labeling and quality requirements, including for bakery mixes, further shaping the market environment.

Consumer preferences evolved towards premium, fresh, and sustainably produced goods in 2023, supporting a 17.6% rise in market value to 37.7 million US dollars while volume stabilized near 13 720 t. The market then experienced robust growth in 2024, with volume jumping 26.3% to 17 327 t and value reaching 47.2 million US dollars. Continued price caps on essential ingredients, alongside new 2024 labeling rules for cereal products and announced state support for SME certification, facilitated this expansion by maintaining affordability and encouraging production compliance.

Production mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits was valued at 6 007 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 787 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Croatia ranked as the 25th largest producer of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits, 2017-2020

World map of production of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits, 2017-2020

In 2020, Croatia produced 2 690 tonnes of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits, showing a significant decline of 16.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 17.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.2%.

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

Exports mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 5 488 tonnes, representing a slight rise of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia were the top buyers of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits from Croatia, accounting for 29.0%, 21.3%, and 16.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Their combined share reached 67.2% of total exports in kind.

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

After a two-year increase, Croatia's exports of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 742 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.9% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 30.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 935 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia were the largest buyers of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits from Croatia in value terms, accounting for 28.8%, 22.6%, and 15.7% of exports, respectively. Together, they formed 67.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Croatia in value, 2017-2020

Imports mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's import volume of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 14 869 tonnes, showing a gradual increase of 6.1% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Germany, and Austria formed the core group of markets for imports in kind, accounting for 23.0%, 20.9%, and 17.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 61.8% 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

After a two-year increase, Croatia's imports of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits declined. In 2020, imports totalled 24 372 thousand US dollars, down by 9.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 878 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Germany, and Austria consistently occupied leading positions in Croatia's import structure in value terms, accounting for 24.9%, 18.6%, and 14.3% of imports, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 57.8% 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