Preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts in Croatia expanded from 10 255 t in 2018 to 14 662 t in 2020. This strong growth phase was supported by the country's established food processing sector and, in 2020, by a rising focus on natural preservatives like acetic acid to meet clean-label demand alongside a favorable EU export environment where such trade grew by 36%.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume contracted to 12 274 t in 2021 before partially recovering to 13 319 t in 2022. The recovery was aligned with sustained global and regional trends favoring natural preservatives and cleaner labels within processed foods.

In 2024, the market reached 13 705 t, aided by a significant capacity increase from Podravka dd's newly commissioned tomato processing plant in Varaždin. Concurrently, rising price sensitivity led consumers to stock up on preserved products during promotions, while overarching EU policies like the Farm to Fork strategy continued shaping production and labeling standards.

Production preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 20 266 thousand US dollars, marking a significant uptick of 53.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 244%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 51.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 12 792 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 49.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 208.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 45.6%.

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

Exports preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 3 389 tonnes, reflecting a robust advance of 14.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 59.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Serbia, and Italy were the leading destinations for Croatia's exports in kind. Slovenia accounted for 36.7% of exports, Serbia for 20.9%, and Italy for 17.1%. Together, these three countries represented 74.8% 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 preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts leaving Croatia has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 5 572 thousand US dollars, amounting to a notable increase of 23.7% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 103.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Italy, and Serbia remained the key destinations for Croatia's exports in value terms. Slovenia held 32.4% of exports, Italy 20.3%, and Serbia 17.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 69.8% 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 preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign supplies of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to Croatia totaled 5 259 tonnes, equivalent to a strong drop of 18.8% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 476 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Germany were the main suppliers of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to Croatia in kind. North Macedonia accounted for 47.2% of imports, Serbia for 18.7%, and Germany for 11.3%. Together, these three countries formed 77.2% of total imports.

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 a two-year improvement, Croatia's import volume of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 996 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 7.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 589 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Germany, and Serbia stood out as the main markets for Croatia's imports in value terms. North Macedonia represented 45.7% of imports, Germany 13.1%, and Serbia 11.8%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 70.5% of total import flows.

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

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