Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in Croatia began the period at 1 104 t in 2018, supported by significant early potato production that year. However, the market volume fell to 801 t in 2019. By 2020, a trend of reduced potato cultivation areas started, decreasing from 9 325 ha to 7 447 ha by 2024, which affected the availability of raw materials and contributed to a further decline in market volume to 779 t.

In 2021, a sharp rise in prices for cereals and flour stimulated production of potato-based products, leading to market growth to 858 t, though this eventually resulted in oversupply. The following year, continued price volatility for potatoes and other vegetables due to COVID-19 consumption disruptions, along with pressure from importers buying surpluses in the European market, impacted prices and competitiveness, with market volume slightly decreasing to 834 t.

By 2023, industrial flour production had fallen by 34% over ten years, while flour imports had increased 18-fold since Croatia's EU accession, intensifying market competition. Simultaneously, the potato market faced pressure from large surpluses and low purchase prices, alongside storage capacity shortages, prompting calls for government intervention. These factors contributed to a drop in market volume to 586 t. In 2024, the acquisition of the Tena mill by Granolio d.d. further consolidated the flour market, and the ongoing reduction in potato acreage, coupled with rising quality and packaging requirements, led to a further decline to 432 t.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 78.4 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 35.9% drop from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 153.2 thousand US dollars, which represented a 19.5% increase that year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 38.8%, averaging an annual decline of 15.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

Croatia's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 26 000 kilograms, down 35.0% from 2019. Production reached its highest point in 2018 at 46 000 kilograms, with a 12.2% increase that year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production declined by 36.6%, translating to an average annual decrease of 14.1%.

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

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. In 2018, exports hit a low of 9 tonnes, with a 43.9% decline that year. By 2020, exports surged to 34 tonnes, a dramatic 199.1% increase from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 3.6-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Russia were the key export partners for Croatia, accounting for 82.2% of total export volumes. Bosnia and Herzegovina led with 32.3%, followed by Serbia at 31.7%, and Russia at 18.2%.

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

Export values exhibited significant volatility during this period. In 2018, they reached a minimum of 22 thousand US dollars, declining by 25.9% that year. By 2020, exports rose sharply to 65 thousand US dollars, a 144.2% increase from the previous year. The peak in 2020 was 2.9 times higher than the low in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Russia were the primary destinations for Croatia's exports by value, together making up 74.9% of total flows. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 30.5%, Serbia for 23.1%, and Russia for 21.3%.

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

World map of product's exports from Croatia in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets saw mixed trends. In 2018, imports peaked at 1 068 tonnes, with an 11.4% increase that year. They then dropped to 772 tonnes in 2019, a 27.7% decline, before rising slightly to 787 tonnes in 2020, up 1.9% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.9%, averaging a 6.4% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia and Germany dominated Croatia's imports by volume, jointly accounting for 86.0% of total flows. The remaining imports were distributed among 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, K $ US

Croatia's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 141 thousand US dollars, down 14.8% from 2019. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 at 1 566 thousand US dollars, with a 22.6% increase that year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall imports declined by 10.7%, averaging an annual decrease of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia and Germany together accounted for 84.0% of Croatia's total import value. The rest of the imports were spread thinly across other markets.

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

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