Potato market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, potato production in Croatia was sustained by increasing yield efficiency, even as planted area gradually declined. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a significant rise in imports from EU surplus markets, which helped maintain overall market volume despite domestic challenges.

From 2021 to 2022, a continued reduction in potato acreage and constraints in storage and processing infrastructure led to a further drop in domestic output. However, substantial import growth, partly driven by competitive EU supplies, allowed the total market to recover from the 2021 low and reach 167 thousand tonnes in 2022.

By 2023, the market expanded to 193 thousand tonnes, supported by rising wholesale prices and growing consumer interest in organic and healthy food options. Simultaneously, the trend toward demand for processed potatoes influenced production and distribution patterns across the period.

Production potato in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Croatia produced 174.3 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 0.7%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 182.3 thousand tons. That same year saw the largest increase of 16.8%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 5.0%.

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

Exports potato from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Following two consecutive years of decline, Croatia's potato exports rebounded in 2020, reaching 13 188 tons—a 15.8% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 384 tons, which also saw the sharpest decline of 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia's potato export destinations were fairly balanced rather than concentrated. The top three partners—Hungary (18.9% of exports in volume), Bulgaria (16.1%), and Austria (12.2%)—collectively accounted for 47.2% of total flows. The remaining 52.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 potato exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 2 747 thousand US dollars—a substantial drop of 21.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 3 816 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia's potato exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The top three destinations—Hungary (19.0% of export value), Slovenia (15.2%), and Bulgaria (12.9%)—together captured just 47.1% of total 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 potato to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia imported 34 701 tons of potatoes, showing a robust increase of 13.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 41.3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 12.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 38 358 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 56.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 20.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, Germany, and Egypt—remained central to Croatia's potato imports in volume, collectively accounting for 55.9% of total 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

After two years of growth, Croatia's potato imports in value terms declined in 2020, totaling 14 996 thousand US dollars—a decrease of 20.6% compared to the prior year. Despite this drop, over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 38.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 879 thousand US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 55.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (33.1% of import value), Germany (16.0%), and Egypt (11.3%) continued to be the main suppliers of potatoes to Croatia, jointly forming 60.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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