Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market value for plastic bottles and similar articles in Croatia declined from 64 184 thousand US dollars to 59 003 thousand US dollars.

A sharp recovery began in 2021, with the market growing to 72 345 thousand US dollars. This turnaround coincided with Croatia passing its Waste Management Act, which banned specific single-use plastic products and transposed key EU packaging and waste directives. The new regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, prompted industry adaptation and investment in compliant packaging, stimulating market activity.

Market growth continued through 2024, reaching 85 118 thousand US dollars. During this period, the implementation of bans on plastic carrier bags and single-use items with plastic lids, alongside the introduction of mandatory deposit systems for beverage packaging, reshaped the market. These regulatory measures were accompanied by reported steady growth in Croatia's plastics industry, with rising sales and exports supporting overall market expansion.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of plastic bottles and similar articles reached 45 474 thousand US dollars, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 47 164 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 13.3% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 4.8%.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in kind declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 3 956 tonnes and showing a 1.7% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 20.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of plastic bottles and similar articles from Croatia in kind were Bosnia and Herzegovina, accounting for 49.1% of exports, Slovenia with 22.8%, and Italy at 8.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 80.8% of Croatia's total exports in kind during this period.

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 plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 12 232 thousand US dollars and remaining stable compared to the previous year. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 13 440 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.8%. In 2019, exports experienced the most significant decline, dropping by 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Croatia's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina with 27.5% of exports, Italy at 21.9%, and Slovenia with 18.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.3% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in kind declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 10 380 tonnes and reflecting a moderate 5.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 899 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.3%. In 2019, imports experienced the most significant decline, dropping by 8.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Serbia was the leading source for Croatia's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in kind, accounting for 38.9% of imports, followed by Slovenia at 15.3% and Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 64.9% of total import flows 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, K $ US

Croatia's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to approximately 25 761 thousand US dollars and showing a 10.3% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 30 461 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.4%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that Croatia's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. Serbia accounted for 25.4% of imports, Slovenia for 12.5%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 10.6%, with these three countries jointly representing only 48.5% 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