Sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers in Croatia showed steady growth in volume from 29 114 t in 2018 to 34 274 t in 2023, before a slight dip to 33 744 t in 2024. In value terms, the market expanded consistently from $75.9 million to $128.2 million over the same period. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumer habits, increasing demand for biscuits and wafers as home snacks, which supported market growth.

After the initial pandemic impact, market volume continued to rise, reaching 34 274 t by 2023, while value growth accelerated, surpassing $117 million. By 2024, consumer attention turned to price and loyalty programs, and packaging trends shifted toward sustainability and automation.

Throughout the period, Kraš remained a dominant domestic producer in the confectionery segment, reinforcing its market position with annual financial reporting.

Production sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 62 015 thousand US dollars, marking a 0.8% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 23 338 tonnes, representing a 1.8% reduction from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 9.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%.

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

Exports sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers exports from Croatia showed an increase. In 2020, exports reached 16 959 tonnes, remaining stable compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.4%, with an annualized rate of 3.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 908 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top destinations for Croatia's sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers exports in volume terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina (21.1% of exports), Slovenia (20.9% of exports), and Poland (12.8% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 54.8% 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 exports of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 46 487 thousand US dollars, a 1.2% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 7%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 50 675 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.1% drop. The largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 1.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Saudi Arabia—collectively accounted for 55.3% of Croatia's total sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 24 904 tonnes, a 3.7% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.5%, with an annualized rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure for sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Bosnia and Herzegovina (24.8% of imports), Czechia (12.6% of imports), and Poland (10.8% of imports) together represented 48.2% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 51.8%.

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 sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 62 192 thousand US dollars, a 1.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Croatia in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Bosnia and Herzegovina (17.2% of imports), Poland (16.1% of imports), and Germany (14.3% of imports) jointly accounted for only 47.6% 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