Sacks and bags for packing of goods market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sacks and bags in Croatia expanded from 1 807 t in 2018 to a peak of 2 608 t in 2022, a growth of 44% over five years. This upward trend was initially supported by ongoing adaptation to EU packaging and waste management regulations. A notable surge in demand occurred in 2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic which increased the need for food packaging pouches as catering services closed. The market continued to grow in 2021 as Croatia implemented its Waste Management Act to transpose EU directives. Even the January 2022 ban on most plastic bags did not reverse the market's expansion that year, as consumption likely shifted toward permitted bag types.

A sharp reversal began in 2023, with the market volume falling to 1 941 t and then plummeting to 1 207 t in 2024, a 54% drop from the 2022 peak. This steep decline was directly caused by a series of stringent legislative measures. Preparations throughout 2023 for a major ban taking effect in July 2024 reduced plastic packaging use. The market contraction accelerated in 2024 with the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic products with plastic lids, the introduction of a mandatory deposit system for beverage packaging, and new Extended Producer Responsibility obligations for companies placing packaging on the market.

Production sacks and bags for packing of goods in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of sacks and bags for packing goods has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 774 thousand US dollars, marking a 3.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Croatia produced 570.6 tonnes of sacks and bags for packing goods, representing a 2.6% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 12.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 566.1 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 13.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

Exports sacks and bags for packing of goods from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia exported 687 tonnes of sacks and bags for packing goods in 2020, showing a strong uptick of 24.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 35.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and Romania were the largest destinations for Croatia's exports in kind, accounting for 34.7%, 13.8%, and 13.6% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 62.1% 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 export value of sacks and bags for packing goods has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 1 461 thousand US dollars, which is 25.4% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 106 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and Slovenia were the main destinations for Croatia's exports in value terms, accounting for 43.6%, 14.9%, and 11.6% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 70.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sacks and bags for packing of goods to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of sacks and bags for packing goods have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 2 406 tonnes, up by 14.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 19.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 1 827 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Serbia, Turkey, and China were the top suppliers, accounting for 19.2%, 14.8%, and 11.1% of imports, respectively, jointly representing 45.0% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 55.0%.

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 import value of sacks and bags for packing goods has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 6 764 thousand US dollars, which is 1.5% higher year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 926 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 3.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for sacks and bags for packing goods to Croatia was broad. Serbia, Austria, and Turkey were the top contributors, accounting for 18.5%, 12.1%, and 11.9% of imports in value terms, respectively, together contributing only 42.5% of total imports. Many other countries had smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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