Plastic furniture market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Croatian plastic furniture market benefited from a peak in European production, reaching a volume of 7.2 million $. However, the introduction of a ban on plastic bags in 2019 began to alter the regulatory landscape, and by 2020 the market had contracted to 5.7 million $.

A turning point came in 2021 when Croatia adopted the Waste Management Law, prohibiting single-use plastics. This measure stimulated demand for sustainable plastic furniture, driving market growth of 36% to 7.7 million $. The trend continued in 2022 as new rules on recycled content and heightened consumer awareness of sustainability kept the market stable at 7.9 million $.

In 2023, the local manufacturer Skaza introduced automated production lines for furniture containing over 50% recycled plastic, boosting efficiency despite a slight market dip to 7.5 million $. Then in 2024, full implementation of EU packaging and single-use plastic directives, including extended producer responsibility, combined with strong consumer preference for eco-friendly products, spurred a sharp 45% market expansion to 10.9 million $.

Production plastic furniture in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's plastic furniture production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 010 thousand US dollars, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 1.2%. Production fell by 11.7% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.1%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 2 411 thousand US dollars, with a 5.9% increase that year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 15.6%.

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

Exports plastic furniture from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, plastic furniture export volumes from Croatia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 83 tonnes, representing a 16.6% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 11.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 100 tonnes, following a substantial 22.5% increase in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia exported plastic furniture to numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—Slovenia, Serbia, and Morocco—collectively accounted for only 43.0% of total export volumes 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

Plastic furniture exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 683 thousand US dollars, which is 21.2% lower than the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 097 thousand US dollars, following a significant 62.1% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia's plastic furniture exports in value terms were widely distributed across partner countries. The top three destinations—France (18.9% of export value), Slovenia (17.4%), and Spain (11.5%)—together represented just 47.7% 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 plastic furniture to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's plastic furniture imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 098 tonnes, which is 21.4% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 28.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (58.6% of import volumes), Poland (9.5%), and Slovenia (5.9%) were the leading suppliers of plastic furniture to Croatia. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.0% of total import volumes during this period.

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

Plastic furniture imports to Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 5 891 thousand US dollars, showing a robust 18.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 22%, with a compound annual decline of 7.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 5 891 thousand US dollars, following a 5.5% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy (43.5% of import value), Slovenia (12.3%), and Poland (7.0%) consistently held the top positions in Croatia's plastic furniture import structure. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 62.7% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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