Plastic household articles and hygienic or toilet articles market in Croatia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market value for plastic household and hygienic articles in Croatia remained relatively stable, fluctuating between $22.0 million and $22.9 million. This period was characterized by the enforcement of national regulations, including the Law on Articles for General Use and its accompanying rulebook, which set sanitary, technical, and hygienic conditions for production and market placement, overseen by state inspectors. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic heightened focus on hygienic conditions, influencing demand and regulatory attention for hygiene-related products.

The market surged by 48% to $32.6 million in 2021, coinciding with European Union recommendations to reduce plastic pellet and microplastic losses, requiring Croatian producers to align with new EU standards. A subsequent contraction to $25.8 million in 2022 followed continued alignment with EU product safety and microplastic reduction regulations, coupled with intensified inspectional oversight over production and market placement, which may have temporarily constrained market activity.

Market value recovered to $29.1 million in 2023 and grew further to $31.8 million in 2024. This expansion was supported by growing consumer demand for environmentally acceptable and sustainable plastic products. New regulatory measures also played a role, including Croatia's Law on Water for Human Consumption, introducing requirements for materials in contact with water, and the implementation of EU Regulation 2024/2522 from January 2024, which altered classification and rules for perfumery, cosmetic, and toilet products.

Production plastic household and hygienic articles in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Croatia's production of plastic household and hygienic articles rebounded in value terms. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 6 226 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, production rose moderately by 7.5% to 6 690 thousand US dollars. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 24%, averaging an annual decline of 8.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 25.6% reduction.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of plastic household and hygienic articles declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output fell to 470 tonnes, marking a 27.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 67.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 31.1%.

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

Exports plastic household and hygienic articles from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of plastic household and hygienic articles from Croatia increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, export volume hit its lowest point at 169 tonnes, with a significant decline of 31.2% that year. By 2020, exports had risen to 288 tonnes, showing a 44.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 17.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Croatia's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles in volume terms were Slovenia, accounting for 25.3% of exports, Serbia with 14.1%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 13.2%. Together, these three countries made up 52.6% 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, K $ US

Croatia's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 951 thousand US dollars, an increase of 8.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 60.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Croatia's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles in value terms were Spain, which accounted for 36.2% of exports, Slovenia at 16.6%, and Hungary with 6.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.1% 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 plastic household and hygienic articles to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles in volume terms declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 3 469 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, imports decreased slightly by 0.7% year-on-year to 3 445 tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of plastic household and hygienic articles to Croatia in volume terms were Italy, contributing 24.6% of imports, Poland with 14.9%, and Serbia at 13.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.3% of total import volume.

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 two years of gains, Croatia's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles in value terms saw a decline. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 19 630 thousand US dollars. In 2020, imports fell slightly by 1.7% year-on-year to 19 297 thousand US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The most significant rise was in 2018, at 7.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Croatia's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles in value terms were Italy, representing 18.4% of imports, Germany at 16.4%, and China with 15.6%. Together, these three countries made up 50.3% of total import value.

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

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