Plastic sacks and bags market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic sacks and bags in Croatia, measured in volume, contracted from 20 880 tons in 2018 to 17 619 tons in 2020, a cumulative drop of over 15%. This was followed by a recovery phase, with volume rising to 19 697 tons in 2022, nearly reaching pre-decline levels. However, 2023 saw a sharp contraction to 16 417 tons, before a partial rebound to 18 120 tons in 2024.

In value terms, the market displayed a similar pattern but with notable divergences in recent years. After falling from USD 51.4 million in 2018 to USD 41.9 million in 2020, value surged by 17% in 2021 to USD 49.2 million. Contrary to the volume increase in 2022, market value slightly declined that year. The sharp volume drop in 2023 was accompanied by an 11% value decrease, and in 2024, while volume recovered by over 10%, market value fell further to USD 37.6 million, suggesting significant price or product mix changes.

Production plastic sacks and bags in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of plastic sacks and bags has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 38 254 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 17.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.6%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 10.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production of plastic sacks and bags has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 21 157 tonnes, representing a year-over-year decrease of 16.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 22.9%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 8.3%.

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

Exports plastic sacks and bags from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia exported 13 658 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags, which is 19.7% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands formed the main cluster of markets for Croatia's exports in kind. Germany accounted for 35.4% of exports, Italy for 17.7%, and the Netherlands for 17.5%, with these three countries together representing 70.6% 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

The value of plastic sacks and bags exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 27 845 thousand US dollars, reflecting a drop of 14.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 7.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 35 221 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 0.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy remained the principal buyers of plastic sacks and bags from Croatia in value terms. Germany accounted for 32.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 13.7%, and Italy for 13.6%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 59.3% 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 sacks and bags to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of plastic sacks and bags into Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 10 120 tonnes, marking a decrease of 10.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 1.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 385 tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Italy accounted for the largest share of Croatia's imports in kind. Bosnia and Herzegovina represented 30.4% of imports, Germany 17.2%, and Italy 14.9%, with these three countries together comprising 62.5% 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

The value of plastic sacks and bags imports into Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia imported a total of 31 503 thousand US dollars, reflecting a year-over-year loss of 7.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 34 834 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and Germany continued to head the list of suppliers of plastic sacks and bags to Croatia in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 23.5% of imports, Italy for 18.1%, and Germany for 16.2%, with these three countries jointly taking 57.8% 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