Plastic packaging and closures market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic packaging and closures in Croatia experienced notable volatility between 2018 and 2024. After starting at 178.2 million dollars in 2018, market size contracted to 150 million dollars by 2020, reflecting a significant downturn. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with the market expanding to 185.2 million dollars, and it reached a peak of 193.9 million dollars in 2022 before a slight dip in 2023 and a return to growth in 2024.

Domestic production mirrored this pattern, falling from 133.7 million dollars in 2018 to 113.2 million dollars in 2020 before recovering to 150.2 million dollars in 2022. Imports, however, showed a steadier upward trajectory, rising from 129.2 million dollars in 2018 to 194.7 million dollars in 2024, indicating increasing reliance on foreign supply. Exports also grew consistently over the period, from 84.8 million dollars to 135 million dollars, suggesting an overall expansion in trade activity for the sector.

The market's growth in 2024, to 193.7 million dollars, coincided with influential European Union regulations promoting recyclability and recycled content in plastic packaging, which shaped demand. Concurrent global supply chain adjustments and raw material cost fluctuations, along with a consumer shift towards sustainable materials, further defined the market environment during this latter part of the period.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's production of plastic packaging and closures declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 113.2 million US dollars, marking a 10.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 133.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.9%.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 35 747 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 0.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's exports in volume terms were broadly distributed across many markets. Germany accounted for 26.0% of exports, Italy for 11.7%, and the Netherlands for 9.6%, together making up 47.4% of total flows. The remaining 52.6% went to a wide range of other partners.

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, M $ US

Croatia's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 88.4 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate gain of 3.5% over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 12.7%, equating to a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's exports in value terms were highly diversified. Germany represented 24.1% of exports, Italy 11.9%, and Slovenia 8.4%, together accounting for 44.4% of total flows. The remaining 55.6% was spread across a long tail of smaller markets.

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 packaging and closures to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia imported 42 147 tonnes of plastic packaging and closures, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 42 644 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.1%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's imports in volume terms were highly diversified. Serbia accounted for 17.9% of imports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 16.8%, and Slovenia for 11.0%, together making up 45.6% of total flows. The remaining 54.4% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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, M $ US

Croatia's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 125.2 million US dollars, down by 1.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 129.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.2%. In 2019, imports recorded the largest decline of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's imports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 15.1% of imports, Italy for 13.6%, and Serbia for 13.1%, together representing 41.7% of total flows.

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

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