Sour cherries market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The sour cherries market in Croatia exhibited strong volatility in physical volume between 2018 and 2023. The market started at 6 225 t in 2018, fell sharply to 4 105 t the following year, and then partially recovered to 4 718 t in 2020. After another drop to 3 724 t in 2021, consumption surged to a peak of 5 109 t in 2022 before retreating to 3 748 t in 2023.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern of swings, with the most pronounced expansion occurring in 2022 when it reached 3 189 thousand US dollars. The lowest market value was recorded in 2023 at 1 868 thousand US dollars, continuing the pattern of instability observed throughout the period.

Production sour cherries in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia was one of the world's leading producers of sour cherries, ranking 17th globally by production volume.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

Croatia's sour cherry production volume increased in 2020 after a two-year decline. The country produced 6 220 tonnes of sour cherries that year, marking a modest 7.8% increase compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 29.1%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5 770 tonnes, which also saw the largest single-year decline of 29.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's sour cherry production value increased in 2020 following a two-year decrease. The output was valued at 3 010 thousand US dollars that year, representing a 4.9% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 37.6%, with an average annual decline of 14.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 870 thousand US dollars, while the largest single-year decline occurred in 2018 at 34.2%.

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

Exports sour cherries from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's sour cherry export volumes declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Exports totaled 1 570 tonnes that year, marking an 8.1% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 51.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (39.0% of exports in volume), Czechia (21.4%), and Austria (14.2%) consistently served as the main destinations for Croatia's sour cherry exports. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.5% of total export flows during this period.

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 sour cherry export value declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 760 thousand US dollars worth of sour cherries that year, showing a 10.6% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 57.5%, with an average annual decline of 24.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia (28.0% of exports in value), Bosnia and Herzegovina (27.0%), and Austria (16.3%) played the leading roles as destinations for Croatia's sour cherry exports. Together, these three markets accounted for 71.3% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's sour cherry import volumes showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 27-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 68 tonnes, which was 54.6% higher than in 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 331 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 86.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 2 595.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Serbia were the dominant suppliers of sour cherries to Croatia, together accounting for 89.4% of total imports in volume. Other trading partners played a less significant role during this period.

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 sour cherry import value showed noticeable fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2017 and the maximum in 2018, with a 15-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports came to 38 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 2.9% rise compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 387 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 90.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 1 407.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (60.4% of imports in value), Slovenia (14.3%), and Serbia (13.6%) were the main sources for Croatia's sour cherry imports. Together, these three countries accounted for 88.2% of total import value during this period.

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

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