Paper bags and sacks market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian paper bags and sacks market started from a base of $24.2 million in 2018, underpinned by a strong domestic paper industry and growing consumption of packaging paper. The market then showed volatility, increasing to $27.6 million in 2019 before falling back to $24.7 million in 2020.

A sustained expansion followed from 2021, with the market size climbing to a high of $37.2 million in 2022. This growth momentum eased slightly in 2023, when the market value settled at $35.1 million.

In 2024, the market contracted to $31.5 million. This period saw heightened environmental activity, including a major campaign to ban PVC bags in stores and the upcoming implementation of new deposit-return fee regulations from 2025, which are setting the stage for future demand for paper bags as a sustainable alternative.

Production paper bags and sacks in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Paper bag and sack production in Croatia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 61 407 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 14.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 63.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Paper bag and sack production in Croatia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia produced 36 100 tonnes of paper bags and sacks, representing a 17.3% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 55.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.9%.

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

Exports paper bags and sacks from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of paper bags and sacks from Croatia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia exported 26 400 tonnes of paper bags and sacks, up by 19.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 89.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 23.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the top contributors to Croatia's exports of paper bags and sacks in volume terms. Germany accounted for 43.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 13.6%, and France for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 67.7% 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

Paper bag and sack shipments from Croatia to abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 54 600 thousand US dollars, showing a robust increase of 24.1% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 104.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and France—together accounted for 67.6% of the total value of paper bag and sack exports from Croatia.

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 bags and sacks to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for paper bags and sacks in Croatia showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia imported 8 558 tonnes of paper bags and sacks, reflecting a sharp decline of 46.5% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 995 tonnes, with the largest increase of 149.3% also occurring in that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina played the leading roles in Croatia's imports of paper bags and sacks in volume terms. Italy accounted for 34.4% of imports, Serbia for 19.4%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 14.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 68.2% of total import 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

After a two-year increase, the value of paper bag and sack imports into Croatia declined. In 2020, Croatia imported approximately 17 929 thousand US dollars of paper bags and sacks, which remained broadly stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 41.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17 957 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 21.5% also in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Serbia, and Germany made the biggest contribution to Croatia's imports of paper bags and sacks in value terms. Italy accounted for 20.3% of imports, Serbia for 18.2%, and Germany for 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 52.2% 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