Toilet soap bars and impregnated materials market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian toilet soap market saw its value influenced by trade dynamics and consumer shifts from 2018 to 2024. Changes in import and export policy with major suppliers such as Austria and Italy initially increased the availability of imported products, supporting market volume. However, global supply chain disruptions in 2020 led to a marked decline in consumption, pulling the market value down by over 15% to $8.5 million. Import levels continued to fall in 2021 and 2023, affecting product availability, yet the market value recovered steadily thereafter.

A sustained move in consumer preferences towards natural and organic soaps, driven by global premiumization trends, became a key market driver. This shift supported value growth even when physical volume contracted, as evidenced in 2023 when the market value reached $10.2 million despite reduced imports. The trend towards premium products continued to stimulate new product and segment development through 2024.

By the end of the period, the market value had grown to $10.5 million, reflecting the industry's adaptation to trade policy changes and supply challenges. The consistent consumer demand for higher-value, natural offerings provided a stable foundation for growth across the years.

Production toilet soap bars and impregnated materials in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Croatia, the production value of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials reached its peak in 2019 at 7 283 K $ US. However, in 2020, this value dropped sharply to 4 085 K $ US, representing a significant decline of 43.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production value rose by 53.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 875 t, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.5%.

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

Exports toilet soap bars and impregnated materials from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials has been increasing for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 1 974 t, marking a modest rise of 9.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 46.5%, with an average annual increase of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the key partners for Croatia's exports in kind. Serbia accounted for 30.4% of exports, Italy for 24.8%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 16.4%. Together, these three countries represented 71.6% 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 export value of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 7 193 K $ US, showing a small reduction of 2.3% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 568 K $ US, which saw an 18.0% increase. In 2019, exports fell by 2.7%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Croatia's exports in value terms were Italy, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Italy accounted for 24.8% of exports, Serbia for 22.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 14.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 61.7% 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 toilet soap bars and impregnated materials to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia imported approximately 4 625 t of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials in 2020, marking an uptick of 17.2% compared to the previous year. In 2019, imports declined by 3.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Turkey were the top suppliers of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials to Croatia in kind. Germany accounted for 39.3% of imports, Italy for 11.4%, and Turkey for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.6% of total imports.

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

In 2020, Croatia's import value of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials totaled 11 588 K $ US, up by 14.9% from a year earlier. In 2019, imports declined by 6.2%, while in 2018, they increased by 29.6%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 39.6%, with an average annual increase of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Turkey were the largest suppliers of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials to Croatia in value terms. Germany accounted for 36.0% of imports, Italy for 13.4%, and Turkey for 10.1%. Together, these three countries formed 59.5% of total imports.

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

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