Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, sunflower-seed oilcake production in Croatia reached 41.7 thousand tons, supported by the country's existing oilseed processing infrastructure, notably the Čepin plant with an annual capacity of 150,000 tons. Domestic demand for cake as an animal feed component, however, faced headwinds from a declining livestock sector. Over the next three years, production fell to an average of 30–31 thousand tons, while total market volume remained relatively stable at 70–72 thousand tons, sustained by consistent imports.

The war in Ukraine in 2022 disrupted global sunflower oil supplies, prompting Croatia to increase domestic processing of sunflower seeds to reduce import dependency. This expansion in oil extraction directly boosted the output of oilcake, a by-product, driving production up sharply to 43.1 thousand tons. State purchases of sunflower oil for strategic reserves further supported processing activity during this period.

Following the 2022 peak, oilcake production eased to 36.4 thousand tons in 2023 before recovering to 42.1 thousand tons in 2024. The overall market volume showed resilience throughout the 2018–2024 period, fluctuating within a narrow band between 68.8 and 72.5 thousand tons.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 6 391 thousand US dollars, down 5.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 463 thousand US dollars, which marked a 26.4% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 20.2% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

Croatia's sunflower-seed oilcake production volume fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 29 788 tonnes were produced, a gradual decline of 4.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 18.4%, with an average annual drop of 6.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 41 724 tonnes, representing a 14.2% increase. The sharpest decline was in 2019, with a 25.3% decrease.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia exported 7 242 tonnes of sunflower-seed oilcake, reflecting a sharp year-on-year gain of 91.7%. The minimum value was 3 778 tonnes in 2019, while the maximum was 9 969 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 62.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Slovenia were the dominant buyers of sunflower-seed oilcake from Croatia, together accounting for 86.3% of total exports in volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, while the highest was reached in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.5 times. In 2020, Croatia exported 2 068 thousand US dollars of sunflower-seed oilcake, constituting an intense gain of 150.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 826 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 56.0% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia and Italy were the dominant destinations for exports in value terms, jointly taking 90.4% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Sunflower-seed oilcake deliveries to Croatia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 46 256 tonnes, marking a slight uptick of 2.8% versus the previous year. The minimum value was 40 973 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with an 11.2% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 9.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary held the dominant position in imports by volume, accounting for 77.4% of total flows, with the remaining share split among various smaller destinations.

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

After a two-year increase, Croatia's sunflower-seed oilcake imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 10 485 thousand US dollars, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.7%, with an average annual growth of 4.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 500 thousand US dollars, which marked a 13.5% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary absorbed 78.8% of total imports in value terms of sunflower-seed oilcake to Croatia, with the balance spread across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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