Soap bars and rganic surface-active products market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of Croatia's soap and organic surfactant market grew from 4 251 t in 2018 to a peak of 5 139 t in 2020, then entered a multi-year decline, reaching 3 850 t by 2024. A 16% decrease in the production of durable consumer goods in 2024, a category that includes soaps and detergents, contributed to the sharp contraction in market volume that year.

In contrast, the market's value rose from $9.6 million in 2018 to $12.9 million in 2024. This resilience in value despite falling volumes was supported by broader growth in Croatian industrial output. Strict EU cosmetics regulations, which apply to soaps and detergents and mandate annual product reformulation, coupled with rising consumer demand for ecological and organic variants, pushed manufacturers toward higher-value formulations, elevating average prices and overall market value.

Production soap bars and rganic surface-active products in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of soap bars and organic surface-active products was valued at 4 101 thousand US dollars, marking a significant contraction of 43.7% compared to the previous year. Production reached its peak in 2019 at 7 289 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 52.6% also occurring that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 24.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 9.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of soap bars and organic surface-active products declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 879 tonnes, representing a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 9.5%.

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

Exports soap bars and rganic surface-active products from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Croatia's exports of soap bars and organic surface-active products declined in 2020. Exports were recorded at 2 012 tonnes, which is 2.0% lower than the previous year. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 2 052 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 25.5% recorded in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 32.9%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the largest buyers of soap bars and organic surface-active products from Croatia in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 27.9% of exports, Italy for 27.7%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 15.4%. Together, these three countries represented 71.0% of Croatia's total exports in kind.

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 soap bars and organic surface-active products in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 7 460 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.6% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export value was achieved in 2018 at 8 615 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 19.7% also occurring that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the main destinations for Croatia's soap bars and organic surface-active products in value terms. Italy accounted for 28.8% of exports, Serbia for 20.2%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.7%. Together, these three countries made up 62.7% of Croatia's 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 soap bars and rganic surface-active products to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of soap bars and organic surface-active products in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 6 273 tonnes, showing a strong uptick of 13.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 36.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Hungary were the primary sources of soap bars and organic surface-active products imported into Croatia in volume terms. Germany accounted for 33.7% of imports, Italy for 12.0%, and Hungary for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 57.1% of Croatia's total imports in kind.

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 soap bars and organic surface-active products in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 15 372 thousand US dollars, up by 13.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 39.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Hungary formed the core of Croatia's imports of soap bars and organic surface-active products in value terms. Germany accounted for 33.0% of imports, Italy for 13.9%, and Hungary for 10.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.2% 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