Non coniferous wood fuel market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-coniferous wood fuel in Croatia more than doubled between 2018 and 2023, rising from 929 thousand m³ to 1.9 million m³. Growth was particularly strong in 2019 and again in 2022, though a temporary contraction occurred in 2021. By the end of the period, domestic consumption had reached its highest level, indicating sustained demand.

Several factors emerging by 2024 reinforced this upward trajectory. Increased promotion of eco-friendly producers, highlighted by a conference in Zagreb organized by the City Office for Economy, Environmental Sustainability and Strategic Planning, aimed to boost sales of sustainable wood fuel. Growing consumer awareness of sustainability and the development of a market for packaged biomass—such as bales, briquettes, and pellets—following EU trends, supported demand. Additionally, regulations limiting harmful emissions and banning the burning of biomass in fields affected supply conditions, while global instability in fossil fuel prices and geopolitical conflicts indirectly increased interest in renewable energy sources like wood biomass.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Croatia produced 2 149 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 108 thousand cubic meters. That year also saw the largest decline of 9.1%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's non-coniferous wood fuel production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 112.1 million US dollars, reflecting a modest year-over-year decrease of 3.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 9.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 116.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.5%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Croatia

Exports in kind, K m³

Croatia's non-coniferous wood fuel exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 903 thousand cubic meters, representing a significant decrease of 12.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 40.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary were the key destinations for Croatia's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 56.0% of exports, Slovenia for 20.1%, and Hungary for 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 90.7% 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

Non-coniferous wood fuel exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia exported 47 086 thousand US dollars worth of non-coniferous wood fuel, marking a substantial drop of 14.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29.7%, with an average annual decline of 11.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 73 174 thousand US dollars. That year saw the largest increase of 9.2%, while 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 24.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Slovenia dominated Croatia's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms. Italy accounted for 66.4% of total flows, while Slovenia contributed 15.3%. Together, these two partners formed 81.7% of total exports, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

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 coniferous wood fuel to Croatia

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Croatia's volume of non-coniferous wood fuel imports reached 143 thousand cubic meters, which is 5.4% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia were the primary suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to Croatia in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 94.4% of total imports, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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 non-coniferous wood fuel imports were valued at 7 387 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 4.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 21.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 043 thousand US dollars. That year saw the largest increase of 31.8%, while 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia were the main sources of Croatia's non-coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 61.1% of total flows, while Slovenia contributed 32.8%. Together, they formed 93.9% of total imports, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

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

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