PE sacks and bags market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for polyethylene sacks and bags in Croatia experienced notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2024, starting at 17 486 tons. A downward trend emerged after 2018, with volume falling to 14 989 tons in 2020. This period saw early environmental initiatives, such as the 2018 ban on single-use plastics including plastic bags on the island of Zlarin, which signaled a shift toward sustainability. Concurrently, Croatia faced regulatory scrutiny from the European Union for delays in transposing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, creating anticipation of stricter compliance demands.

Market volume partially recovered to 16 193 tons in 2022 but declined again to 13 944 tons in 2023, reflecting ongoing volatility in demand without major regulatory interventions during these intermediate years.

In 2024, volume rebounded to 16 718 tons. This increase coincided with legislative amendments adopted in February 2024, which included a ban on single-use plastic products with plastic lids effective from July 3, 2024, and the implementation of remaining Single-Use Plastics Directive measures such as prohibiting lightweight plastic bags. However, some of these regulatory changes had not yet entered into force during the reporting period, suggesting other market dynamics contributed to the short-term growth.

Production PE sacks and bags in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Production of PE sacks and bags in Croatia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 32 428 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial reduction of 20.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 34%, which equates to an annualized rate of 12.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of PE sacks and bags fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, 18 321 tonnes were produced, marking a 20.2% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 29.2%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 10.9%.

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

Exports PE sacks and bags from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia exported 11 409 tonnes of PE sacks and bags, reflecting a robust year-over-year fall of 22.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy were the main destinations for Croatia's PE sacks and bags exports in kind. Germany accounted for 38.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.1%, and Italy for 17.3%, together absorbing 75.7% of total exports.

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 PE sacks and bags declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 19 477 thousand US dollars, indicating a robust drop of 22.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 36.1%, which equates to an annualized rate of 13.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy formed the core group of markets for Croatia's PE sacks and bags exports in value terms. Germany represented 37.1% of exports, the Netherlands 17.5%, and Italy 12.7%, together accounting for 67.3% of total export 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 PE sacks and bags to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Croatia's import volume of PE sacks and bags declined. In 2020, Croatia imported 8 077 tonnes, marking a reduction of 9.5% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 925 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Poland were the main sources of PE sacks and bags imports in kind to Croatia. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 37.6% of imports, Germany for 18.8%, and Poland for 9.2%, together absorbing 65.6% of total imports.

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

Following a two-year increase, Croatia's imports of PE sacks and bags declined. In 2020, imports totaled 22 113 thousand US dollars, down by 9.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 390 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Slovenia led the structure of Croatia's PE sacks and bags imports in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina represented 32.2% of imports, Germany 19.3%, and Slovenia 12.2%, together accounting for 63.7% 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