Still wine market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian still wine market began the period with regulatory developments that shaped its trajectory. The National Consumer Protection Program for 2017-2020 emphasized a unified regulatory framework, boosting business activity. In 2019, the new Wine Law harmonized national legislation with EU regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, establishing clearer rules for production, categories, and protected designations. This regulatory clarity supported market volume growth from 81 512 thousand liters in 2018 to 84 669 thousand liters in 2019, though the market value slightly declined, possibly due to increased competition from substitutes like beer, as noted earlier.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the market in 2020, reducing volume to 77 437 thousand liters and value to $148.3 million. Tourism, a key economic sector influencing wine consumption trends, contracted during this period. However, the accelerated shift to online sales channels and heightened consumer demand for product transparency, driven by EU digital market directives, facilitated a recovery in 2021. Market volume rebounded to 82 121 thousand liters, while value surged to $178.9 million, reflecting adapting consumer habits.

Further regulatory refinements continued to influence the market. The 2022 Winemaking Ordinance introduced detailed provisions on vineyard potential, registries, mandatory declarations, and pre-market release procedures. Then, from December 8, 2023, new labeling requirements for wine and aromatized wine products came into force, mandating electronic information via QR codes. These changes likely contributed to a volume drop to 71 408 thousand liters in 2023, followed by a moderate increase to 73 578 thousand liters in 2024. Notably, the market value rose to $195.1 million in 2024, suggesting a move toward higher-value or better-labeled products.

Production still wine in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's still wine production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 136.6 million US dollars, marking a 25.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 190.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Following two years of growth, Croatia's still wine production volume declined. In 2020, 57 532 thousand liters were produced, showing a contraction of 13.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 66 682 thousand liters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.3%.

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

Exports still wine from Croatia

Exports in kind, K l

Still wine exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia exported 3 409 thousand liters, representing a significant loss of 34.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 33.6%, with an annualized rate of 12.8%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 641 thousand liters, which also saw the largest increase of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Czechia—together accounted for 62.6% of Croatia's total still wine exports in volume terms.

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

Still wine exports from Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia exported 12 465 thousand US dollars' worth of still wine, showing an abrupt reduction of 25.3% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 17 865 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 29.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (31.7% of exports in value terms), Germany (16.3%), and Montenegro (7.6%) played leading roles in Croatia's still wine exports, jointly accounting for 55.5% of total 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 still wine to Croatia

Imports in kind, K l

Croatia's volume of still wine imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia imported a total of 23 313 thousand liters, marking a small gain of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 22 327 thousand liters, which saw the largest decline of 12.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia (52.5% of imports in volume terms), Serbia (12.1%), and Italy (10.9%) formed the main cluster of markets for Croatia's still wine imports, with a combined share of 75.5% of total 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

Still wine imports into Croatia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Croatia imported 24 196 thousand US dollars' worth of still wine, down by 2.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 25 278 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 7.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia (41.6% of imports in value terms), Italy (11.5%), and France (8.8%) stood out as the main markets for Croatia's still wine imports, together representing 61.8% of total flows.

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

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