Nitrites and nitrates market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian nitrites and nitrates market between 2018 and 2024 was significantly influenced by the phased implementation of the EU Nitrate Directive, which set stricter rules on nitrogen fertilizer use in agriculture to reduce water pollution. This regulatory pressure altered demand for nitrate-based fertilizers, contributing to overall market fluctuations.

Market volume fell sharply in 2020 following legislative amendments that tightened controls on nitrogen application and manure management. A further steep decline occurred in 2023 when new European limits on nitrites and nitrates in food products took effect, coupled with the growing availability of nitrite-free meat alternatives that reduced additive consumption.

Despite ongoing regulatory tightening, the market recovered to $911 thousand in 2024, aided by higher domestic production and imports. The introduction of nitrite-free product lines by meat processors marked a structural shift, but the market's value rebounded as supply chains adjusted to the evolving regulatory and consumer landscape.

Production nitrites and nitrates in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, $ US

Croatia's nitrites and nitrates production experienced a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 69 613 US dollars, marking a 6.9% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 74 761 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Nitrites and nitrates production in Croatia declined following two years of increases. In 2020, Croatia produced 4 569 kilograms, representing a 13.8% drop from 2019. The peak was in 2019 with 5 303 kilograms, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.5%, averaging a 1.5% annualized rate.

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

Exports nitrites and nitrates from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 69.6 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 324.7 tonnes, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.7 times. In 2020, exports surged by 257.4% year-over-year, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated Croatia's nitrites and nitrates exports in kind, accounting for 92.8% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

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 nitrites and nitrates export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 228.2 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic rise of 105.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 135.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia together accounting for 92.0% of total flows. Other partners made up the residual portion.

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

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

Imports nitrites and nitrates to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Nitrites and nitrates imports into Croatia rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 841.3 tonnes, which is 5.1% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the main suppliers of nitrites and nitrates to Croatia in kind were the Netherlands (25.4% of imports), Hungary (23.7% of imports), and Greece (17.9% of imports). Together, these three countries comprised 67.0% 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

The value of nitrites and nitrates imports into Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 715.8 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.1% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 733.6 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 29.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.9%, averaging an 8.0% annualized rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for nitrites and nitrates imports into Croatia in value terms were the Netherlands (28.6% of imports), Hungary (24.8% of imports), and Greece (16.4% of imports). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.9% 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