Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Croatian market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime showed significant volatility in volume. After a decline to 51.5 thousand tonnes in 2019, consumption expanded strongly, reaching a peak of 69.9 thousand tonnes in 2022. This growth was supported by a sharp increase in domestic production, which surged to 173.6 thousand tonnes in 2021, alongside rising import volumes that reached 26.9 thousand tonnes in 2022.

Following the 2022 peak, market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 60.4 thousand tonnes by 2024. Throughout the period, regional trade patterns remained crucial, with Croatia maintaining important export corridors to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania, while sourcing imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Italy. These flows contributed to the overall supply structure.

Price dynamics also marked the market, with Croatia experiencing annual price increases of around 7% until 2024—the highest rate in the EU—while the average import price fell by 6% in 2024. These cost movements, coupled with the evolving regional trade, shaped the market's consumption and production trends across the seven-year span.

Production quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime was valued at 9,987 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.4%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 14.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Croatia produced 138.1 thousand tonnes of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime, showing a steady year-over-year increase of 10.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 26.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 1.3%, whereas the highest increase was in 2018, at 16.9%.

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

Exports quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime from Croatia have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 102.4 thousand tonnes, up by 14.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 52.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Croatia's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in volume terms were Serbia, with a 38.3% share, Hungary at 18.9%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 17.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.7% 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

Croatia's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value amounted to 10,140 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong year-over-year rise of 16.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 59.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 16.8%.

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

In value terms, from 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Croatia's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime were Serbia, with a 48.8% share, Hungary at 14.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 13.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 76.1% 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 quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Croatia imported 23.1 thousand tonnes of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime, representing a 51.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 75.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime to Croatia in volume terms were Italy, with a 36.7% share, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 23.9%, and Austria at 20.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.8% 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

In 2020, Croatia's imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime were valued at 2,247 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 40.2% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 70.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 14.7%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 42.5%.

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

In value terms, from 2017 to 2020, the main sources of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime imports to Croatia were Italy, with a 42.2% share, Austria at 22.4%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 17.0%. These three countries together represented 81.6% 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