Sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian market for sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages expanded from 325.4 million liters in 2018 to 347.1 million liters in 2019. This growth was primarily driven by an increase in the number of producers, which enhanced domestic production capacity and broadened product availability. Concurrently, the industry prepared for the proposed introduction of a sugar tax on sweetened drinks, setting expectations for future price adjustments and potential shifts in consumption patterns.

After a contraction to 304.5 million liters in 2020, market volume rebounded strongly to 384.7 million liters in 2021. By 2022, volume stabilized at 382.2 million liters amid evolving consumer preferences toward healthier options, such as water and beverages with higher-quality ingredients. Major players like Coca-Cola and Jamnica reinforced their market presence, supporting value sales growth. The existing regulatory framework, including a special tax that exempts plain and mineral water, continued to influence market segmentation and pricing.

In 2023, broader economic pressures and inflation affected consumer spending habits, leading to a decrease in volume to 368.8 million liters. However, the market demonstrated resilience in 2024, recovering to 404.7 million liters, indicating sustained demand for non-alcoholic beverages in Croatia.

Production sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Croatia's production of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 189.0 million US dollars, marking a significant contraction of 13.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 225.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

In 2020, Croatia produced 271.4 million litres of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages, representing a solid year-over-year loss of 10.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 10.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The peak was in 2019 with 302.4 million litres, which also experienced the largest increase of 3.8%.

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

Exports sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages from Croatia

Exports in kind, M l

Following a two-year rise, Croatia's export volume of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages declined. In 2020, exports stood at 111.7 million litres, which is 8.4% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 121.9 million litres, with the largest increase of 4.4% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary formed the main cluster of markets for Croatia's exports in kind. Slovenia accounted for 39.0% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 24.2%, and Hungary for 10.9%, together representing 74.1% 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, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Croatia's exports of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages declined. In 2020, export volume amounted to 62.7 million US dollars, indicating a measured fall of 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 67.3 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 18.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia remained the leading destinations for Croatia's exports in value terms. Slovenia accounted for 39.3% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 25.8%, and Serbia for 9.1%, with a combined share of 74.2% 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 sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages to Croatia

Imports in kind, M l

After a two-year gain, Croatia's import volume of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages declined. In 2020, imports stood at 144.8 million litres, which is 13.1% lower year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 166.6 million litres, while the largest increase of 12.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Hungary stood out as the main markets for Croatia's imports in kind. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 31.2% of imports, Slovenia for 18.6%, and Hungary for 12.6%, together representing 62.4% of total import 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, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, Croatia's import volume of sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages declined. In 2020, import volume reached 105.9 million US dollars, marking a decrease of 4.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 30%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 111.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 22.8% occurring in 2018.

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

In the period 2017–2020, the partner landscape for Croatia's imports in value terms was diverse. The Netherlands accounted for 17.1% of imports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.3%, and Austria for 13.3%, together forming only 43.7% of total flows. This indicates that a substantial 56.3% of imports came from many other countries.

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

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