Odoriferous substances for food and drink market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market for odoriferous substances for the food and drink industries in Croatia grew in volume from 1 756 t to 2 009 t. This expansion occurred alongside key regulatory changes, starting with amendments to the Law on Food Additives, Flavors, and Enzymes in 2018. The adoption of the Regulation on sensitive agricultural and food products in 2021 further aligned national standards with EU norms, likely facilitating imports and stabilizing the supply of ingredients for domestic food producers.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume fluctuated, settling at 1 870 t in 2024. The new Food Law, effective from February 2023, introduced clearer control mandates. Concurrently, the expansion of large Croatian food manufacturers indicated robust industrial investment, supporting demand for flavor ingredients, while growing consumer interest in functional foods spurred innovation. However, the emergence of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, known as the Ozempic effect, began to alter consumer eating habits, potentially reducing demand for certain food products and the odoriferous substances used in their production.

Production odoriferous substances for food and drink in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of odoriferous substances for food and drink was valued at 235.2 thousand US dollars, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 2.5%. The maximum production value was recorded in 2018 at 528.0 thousand US dollars, while the minimum occurred in 2019 at 229.4 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase was 5.7% in 2018, and the largest decline was 56.6% in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 52.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

In 2020, Croatia produced 11 875 kilograms of odoriferous substances for food and drink, which represents a 2.1% increase compared to the previous year. The maximum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 413 kilograms, while the minimum was in 2019 at 11 634 kilograms. The largest annual decline was 54.2% in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 53%, corresponding to an annualized rate of -22.2%.

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

Exports odoriferous substances for food and drink from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of odoriferous substances for food and drink rebounded in 2020 after a two-year contraction, reaching 189 tonnes, a 5.4% increase compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 179 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 12.1% occurring in 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated Croatia's exports of odoriferous substances for food and drink in kind, accounting for 74.4% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

In 2020, Croatia's exports of odoriferous substances for food and drink in value terms totaled 2 645 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 7.3%. The maximum export value was recorded in 2018 at 2 746 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase was 19.2% in 2018, and the largest decline was 10.3% in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and Serbia were the top destinations for Croatia's exports of odoriferous substances for food and drink in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 62.5% of exports, Italy for 12.1%, and Serbia for 11.5%, together comprising 86.1% 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 odoriferous substances for food and drink to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia imported 2 025 tonnes of odoriferous substances for food and drink, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 924 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2 032 tonnes. The largest annual decline was 3.7% in 2018, and the largest increase was 5.6% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, Ireland, and Germany were the main sources for Croatia's imports of odoriferous substances for food and drink in kind. Slovenia accounted for 27.6% of imports, Ireland for 19.5%, and Germany for 14.9%, together representing 62.0% 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

Croatia's imports of odoriferous substances for food and drink in value terms declined in 2020 after a two-year gain, totaling 29 160 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 10.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 32 457 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase was 19.6% in 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, Germany, and Slovenia were the largest suppliers of odoriferous substances for food and drink to Croatia in value terms. Ireland accounted for 48.1% of imports, Germany for 15.9%, and Slovenia for 12.4%, together forming 76.4% 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