Non-cellular plastic sheets market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-cellular plastic sheets in Croatia experienced significant fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2024. Following the 2017 ban on single-use plastic items like plates and cutlery, which affected part of this product segment, market volume stood at 5 538 tons in 2018 before declining to 4 722 tons in 2019. A recovery began in 2020, with volume reaching 4 954 tons, followed by strong growth to 5 976 tons in 2021 and a peak of 7 662 tons in 2022.

After the 2022 peak, market volume contracted to 6 439 tons in 2023 and further to 5 903 tons in 2024. In February 2024, the Croatian government aligned national legislation with EU packaging and plastics regulations, setting new rules for items such as plastic lids and multilayer beverage packaging that took effect in July 2024. Croatia also maintains a strong export position for non-cellular polyethylene films and sheets within Europe.

Production non-cellular plastic sheets in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of non-cellular plastic sheets has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 645 thousand US dollars, marking a strong 12.0% year-over-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 420 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of non-cellular plastic sheets has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 511.0 tonnes were produced, up by 43.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 5.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 347.0 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 28.6%.

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

Exports non-cellular plastic sheets from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of non-cellular plastic sheets have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 3 929 tonnes, showing a robust gain of 10.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 92.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and France were the largest buyers of non-cellular plastic sheets from Croatia, accounting for 18.0%, 13.7%, and 12.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 44.6% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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 exports of non-cellular plastic sheets have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 17 045 thousand US dollars, showing an advance of 20.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 80.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of non-cellular plastic sheets from Croatia were spread across many countries. Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia accounted for 15.2%, 13.3%, and 13.2% of exports in value terms, respectively, jointly making up only 41.7% of total 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 non-cellular plastic sheets to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of non-cellular plastic sheets have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 8 200 tonnes, marking a modest rise of 5.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 812 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Germany, Italy, and Austria—together accounted for 58.0% of total imports in kind of non-cellular plastic sheets to Croatia.

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 supplies of non-cellular plastic sheets to Croatia reached 33 811 thousand US dollars, showing a slight uptick of 1.4% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the main destinations for non-cellular plastic sheets to Croatia, accounting for 34.8%, 14.0%, and 8.2% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they made up 56.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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