Printing inks market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the Croatian printing inks market by volume showed a fluctuating trajectory. After a peak of 4,767 tonnes in 2021, the market volume declined over the next two years, reaching 3,987 tonnes in 2023, and then stabilized at 3,975 tonnes in 2024. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, with a high of 28.2 million USD in 2021 before moderating to 26.5 million USD by the end of the period.

The market operates within a framework shaped by European Union regulations, which set safety and environmental standards for ink formulations. A significant industry trend is the growing demand for eco-friendly, low-VOC inks, driven in part by the expanding packaging sector, which benefits from e-commerce growth. Technological advances, such as the increased adoption of digital printing and UV/LED curable inks, are also influencing product development and market dynamics.

Global industry leaders like Sun Chemical, Flint Group, and Siegwerk are active in the region, supporting the shift towards sustainable solutions. The influence of guidelines such as the European Printing Ink Association's Charter on Raw Material Selection promotes compliance and innovation within the Croatian market.

Production printing inks in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's printing inks production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1,269 thousand US dollars, marking a controlled decrease of 4.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 46.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,502 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 4.6% that year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 46.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's printing inks production volume decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 284.0 tonnes of printing inks were produced, representing a 3.8% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 365.1 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.6%. The most substantial decrease was in 2019, with a drop of 19.1%.

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

Exports printing inks from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of printing inks increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 341 tonnes, reflecting a dramatic uptick of 30.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 38.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 229 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Hungary were consistently the main destinations for Croatia's printing inks exports in kind. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 27.4% of exports, Slovenia for 24.7%, and Hungary for 20.7%. Together, these three countries represented 72.8% 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

After a two-year increase, Croatia's exports of printing inks declined. In 2020, exports stood at 3,859 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.0% loss compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 18.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4,022 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.1% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Slovenia, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina—together absorbed 69.1% of Croatia's total printing inks exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports printing inks to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's imports of printing inks reached 4,451 tonnes, indicating a moderate decrease of 4.0% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4,638 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.9% that year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Austria stood out as the main sources for Croatia's printing inks imports in kind. Germany accounted for 37.9% of imports, Hungary for 16.6%, and Austria for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 65.2% 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

After a two-year increase, Croatia's imports of printing inks declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 27,849 thousand US dollars, representing a 1.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 28,134 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.3% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia continued to be the main suppliers of printing inks to Croatia in value terms. Germany accounted for 36.1% of imports, Hungary for 13.7%, and Slovenia for 7.6%. Jointly, these three countries formed 57.4% 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