Paper and paperboard packing and office articles market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard packing articles in Croatia showed initial growth, supported by the rise of e-commerce which increased demand for delivery bags and cardboard boxes. This trend contributed to higher market volume leading into 2019. The subsequent dip in 2020 reflected the broad impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumption patterns, as noted in later industry reports.

Following the pandemic, the market recovered and reached a peak in 2022, aided by stable growth in packaging consumption and the full implementation of an extended producer responsibility system for packaging waste. This framework encouraged more organized management of packaging materials. However, market volume contracted in 2023, indicating a temporary adjustment after the post-pandemic expansion.

A significant rebound occurred in 2024, with market volume surging to 186.3 thousand tons. This growth aligned with major regulatory shifts, including the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation which promoted recyclable and compostable paper packaging. Concurrently, new infrastructure such as the sorting plant in Mihačeva Draga began operations, and active producers like Dunapack bolstered production capacity for lightweight and recycled-content board.

Production paper and paperboard packing and office articles in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of paper and paperboard packing and office articles was valued at 231.0 million US dollars, marking a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 12.7%, while 2019 saw minimal change.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Croatia's production of paper and paperboard packing and office articles has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 189.5 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate 6.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard packing and office articles from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of paper and paperboard packing and office articles from Croatia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 70 355 tonnes, up by 13.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 30.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Croatia's exports of paper and paperboard packing and office articles in kind were Hungary, with a 25.5% share, Slovenia at 20.9%, and Germany at 15.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 61.6% 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, M $ US

Shipments of paper and paperboard packing and office articles from Croatia abroad have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia exported 109.5 million US dollars worth of these goods, a 14.3% increase from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 52%, representing an annualized growth rate of 15.0%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Germany led as the top buyer of Croatia's paper and paperboard packing and office articles in value terms, with a 21.6% share, followed by Slovenia at 18.4% and Hungary at 18.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 57.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard packing and office articles to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of paper and paperboard packing and office articles in kind declined. In 2020, imports stood at 29 059 tonnes, a 24.4% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 19.3%, with an annualized rate of 6.1%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 38 439 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 42.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy was the largest supplier of paper and paperboard packing and office articles to Croatia in kind, accounting for 28.9% of imports, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 12.0% and Serbia at 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 50.7% of total imports in kind.

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, M $ US

Following two years of increase, Croatia's import volume of paper and paperboard packing and office articles in value terms fell. In 2020, imports reached 56.4 million US dollars, down by 4.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 22.2%, with an annualized rate of 6.9%. The highest value was in 2019 at 59.0 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 22.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the leading supplier of paper and paperboard packing and office articles to Croatia in value terms, with a 20.1% share, followed by Germany at 12.8% and Poland at 10.7%. These three countries together accounted for 43.6% of total import value, amidst a diverse range of smaller trading partners.

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

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