Tissues and towels of paper market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for tissues and towels of paper in Croatia stood at 20 782 t in 2018, supported by EU-wide consumption trends where demand for paper products grew alongside GDP and a resilient domestic paper industry. Over the next four years, the market contracted steadily, reaching 15 813 t by 2022.

A turnaround began in 2023, with market volume climbing to 17 912 t and further to 20 354 t in 2024. This recovery was spurred by circular economy initiatives launched in 2022, including an educational campaign by Tetra Pak and major companies like Vindija, Dukat, Konzum, Belje, and Lucart to distribute recycled paper tissues, coupled with Croatia's preliminary steps to integrate multilayer carton packaging into a deposit return system, which encouraged recycling and raised demand for recycled paper products.

Production tissues and towels of paper in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of tissues and towels of paper has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 22 207 thousand US dollars, marking a modest increase of 3.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production of tissues and towels of paper has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 12 454 tonnes, showing a controlled improvement of 4.0% over the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 36.1%, averaging an annual decline of 13.9%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 11 479 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 41.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 4.3%.

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

Exports tissues and towels of paper from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of tissues and towels of paper have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10 022 tonnes, representing a 9.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 44.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Slovenia, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina—collectively accounted for 59.8% of Croatia's total exports of tissues and towels of paper 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

Croatia's exports of tissues and towels of paper have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 17 740 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.3% improvement over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 64.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 18.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Slovenia, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina formed the core of Croatia's export markets in value terms. Slovenia contributed 26.7% of export value, Germany 25.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.2%, together making up 59.5% of total export 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 tissues and towels of paper to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's imports of tissues and towels of paper have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 15 895 tonnes, which is 6.6% lower than in the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 17 307 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Italy, Germany, and Slovenia—together absorbed 67.1% of Croatia's total imports of tissues and towels of paper in volume terms.

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 tissues and towels of paper have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 33 419 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decline of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 35 349 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three primary markets—Germany, Italy, and Slovenia—collectively absorbed 65.2% of Croatia's total imports of tissues and towels of paper in value terms.

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

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