Natural sands market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for natural sands in Croatia expanded substantially in physical terms from 947 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 506 thousand tonnes in 2024, marking a 59% increase over the period. The most pronounced growth occurred in 2019, when market volume jumped by 28% to 1 216 thousand tonnes, and again in 2023 with a 20% rise to a peak of 1 582 thousand tonnes.

After reaching its highest point in 2023, the market experienced a moderate contraction of 5% in 2024. In value terms, the market demonstrated greater volatility, declining by 17% in 2020 to $11.3 million before recovering and climbing to $18.3 million by 2024.

Production natural sands in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's natural sands production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 419 K $ US, marking an 8.4% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 42.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 12.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Croatia's natural sands production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 923.2 K t of natural sands, representing a 3.5% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 33.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

Exports natural sands from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2019, natural sands exports from Croatia reached a peak of 24.1 K t, but by 2020, they dropped to 5.4 K t, a 77.7% year-on-year decrease. This represents a 4.5-fold variation between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 205.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Austria, and Slovenia were the top destinations for Croatia's natural sands exports in kind. Hungary accounted for 37.0% of exports, Austria for 32.5%, and Slovenia for 19.8%, together making up 89.3% of total 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

Market behavior was volatile during these years. In 2019, Croatia's natural sands exports reached a high of 901 K $ US, while in 2017, they hit a low, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.8 times. By 2020, exports stood at 281 K $ US, showing an abrupt 68.9% reduction compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 269.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the leading buyers of Croatia's natural sands in value terms. Austria accounted for 35.2% of exports, Slovenia for 24.9%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 23.8%, with their combined share reaching 83.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports natural sands to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. In 2017, natural sands imports into Croatia peaked, but by 2018, they fell to their lowest point of 202.1 K t, a 2.5-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 345.2 K t, marking a slight 1.0% drop from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 59.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 72.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Czechia were the primary sources of Croatia's natural sands imports in kind. Serbia accounted for 34.5% of imports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 25.2%, and Czechia for 16.1%, together comprising 75.9% of total 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

In 2020, Croatia's natural sands imports totaled 5 154 K $ US, reflecting a 39.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 43%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Slovakia, and Slovenia were the main suppliers of natural sands to Croatia in value terms. Czechia accounted for 29.3% of imports, Slovakia for 21.0%, and Slovenia for 10.8%, jointly accounting for 61.1% of total imports.

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

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