Plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Croatia experienced notable volatility in both volume and value from 2018 to 2024. Market volume reached a high of 27 085 tonnes in 2021 after climbing from 24 484 tonnes in 2018, but then contracted over the next two years to 22 161 tonnes in 2023 before a marginal increase to 22 308 tonnes in 2024. The market value mirrored this pattern, peaking at $96.9 million in 2021 and then declining to $83.7 million by the end of the period.

This overall contraction after 2021 occurred alongside shifts in trade flows, with imports—the primary source of market supply—varying between 26 661 tonnes and 32 222 tonnes annually. Domestic production levels remained comparatively modest, fluctuating between 3 324 tonnes and 4 955 tonnes across the seven-year span.

Regulatory changes significantly shaped the market landscape in 2024. The full transposition of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive into Croatian law, including a ban on the sale of items like plastic plates and cutlery effective from July 3, 2024, altered demand for specific product categories. Concurrently, the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations for packaging and plastic products introduced new compliance requirements affecting market participants.

Production plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip was valued at 10,577 thousand US dollars, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 4.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 74%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, reaching 68.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4,504 tonnes, reflecting a robust gain of 11.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 107.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.5%.

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

Exports plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 8,677 tonnes, showing a solid increase of 19.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 76.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Croatia's exports in kind were Slovenia, accounting for 35.3% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 17.3%, and Germany with 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 62.2% 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 plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 34,722 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp rise of 31.6% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 93.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Croatia's exports in value terms were Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germany, collectively accounting for 52.9% 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 plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined. In 2020, imports stood at 26,886 tonnes, showing a decrease of 5.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 28,297 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's imports in kind of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip were widely dispersed across partner countries. Hungary led with 16.6% of imports, followed by Germany at 15.6%, and Slovenia at 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 47.1% of total import flows.

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 plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 86,460 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a moderate decrease of 4.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 94,744 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Croatia's import structure in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 19.8% of imports, Hungary for 13.7%, and Slovenia for 13.7%, jointly representing 47.2% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 52.8%.

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

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