Processed liquid milk market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for processed liquid milk in Croatia showed relative stability from 2018 to 2019, with a marginal increase in volume sales aided by technological innovations in liquid food production and the influence of global trade fairs. This period also saw rising milk prices shaped by EU regulations and global climatic shifts. However, in 2020, the market volume declined to 417.6 thousand tons, reflecting broader adjustments in the economic environment.

In 2021, new EU and national legislative requirements on environmental protection and animal welfare compelled small Croatian producers to undertake investments, constraining domestic milk output. Concurrently, EU regulations that banned plant-based drinks from using the term 'milk' and restricted packaging for consumer protection helped sustain demand for processed liquid milk. The following year, a significant rise in raw milk purchase prices and production costs—driven by more expensive energy, animal feed, and labor—led to a reduction in the number of cows and milk producers. Despite these supply-side pressures, the total market volume reached a peak of 438.0 thousand tons in 2022, supported by increased imports.

After the 2022 peak, the market volume gradually contracted, falling to 417.7 thousand tons by 2024. Domestic production continued its downward trend during these years, while import levels remained substantial to meet consumption needs.

Production processed liquid milk in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, the output value of processed liquid milk in Croatia reached its peak at 179.5 million US dollars. The following year, in 2019, it dropped to its lowest point of 171.3 million US dollars, marking a decline of 4.6%. In 2020, the value showed little change from 2019, settling at 171.8 million US dollars, which represented a slight increase of 4.7% compared to 2018.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2018, Croatia produced 246.1 thousand tonnes of processed liquid milk, which was the lowest volume recorded during this period, reflecting a decline of 1.4%. Production rebounded in 2019, increasing by 1.2% to reach 247.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, where it saw a minor decrease of 0.8% compared to the previous year.

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

Exports processed liquid milk from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

Croatia's exports of processed liquid milk in kind saw a decline of 1.8% in 2019. However, in 2020, they surged by 20.8% to 29.2 thousand tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 34%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for Croatia's processed liquid milk exports in kind were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Italy, which together accounted for 74.2% of total exports.

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

In 2019, Croatia's processed liquid milk exports in value terms experienced a slight decline of 0.1%. The previous year, in 2018, they had increased by 20.7%. By 2020, exports rose to 15,272 thousand US dollars, up 14.4% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 37.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for Croatia's processed liquid milk exports in value terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 32.1% of exports, Serbia at 24.3%, and Italy at 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 68.5% 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 processed liquid milk to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

Croatia's imports of processed liquid milk in kind peaked in 2018 at 215.0 thousand tonnes, an increase of 6.6% from the previous year. In 2019, imports began to decline, and by 2020, they had dropped to 199.8 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 5.8% from 2019, marking the second consecutive year of decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Croatia's processed liquid milk imports in kind were Slovenia, with 40.1% of imports, Hungary at 29.5%, and Slovakia at 13.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 82.7% 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

Croatia's imports of processed liquid milk in value terms reached their highest point in 2018 at 90,030 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 6.0% increase. In 2019, imports started to fall, and by 2020, they had decreased to 81,122 thousand US dollars, down 9.7% from 2019, continuing the decline for a second year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the leading sources for Croatia's processed liquid milk imports in value terms were Slovenia, contributing 40.7% of imports, Hungary at 27.0%, and Slovakia at 12.8%. Together, these three countries made up 80.4% 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