Tomato market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the fresh tomato market in Croatia expanded from 30 724 t to 39 607 t. This growth was driven by a sharp increase in domestic production, which rose by over 11 000 t in 2020 as output expanded and small growers gained better market access through the 'Vrtovi Hrvatske' project. Earlier, high cultivation costs and uncertain procurement had pressured producers, but initiatives like this helped maintain supply.

Market volume fell to 29 621 t in 2021, a 25% drop, largely due to a steep decline in production. The recovery to 36 678 t in 2022 coincided with record-high vegetable prices and significant import volumes, which reached 17 955 t that year, reflecting shifts in consumer habits and market conditions.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 35 384 t, while 2024 saw reported production growth of nearly 20 000 t. Growing consumer interest in traditional tomato varieties with fuller flavor and greater resilience began influencing cultivar selection, and favorable conditions in Istria supported the processing segment.

Production tomato in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, tomato production in Croatia rebounded in 2020. The country produced 33 370 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a significant 51.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 22 020 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 45.1% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Tomato production in Croatia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 41 610 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 59.1% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 4.7%, translating to an annualized decline of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 25 235 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 42.2%.

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

Exports tomato from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, tomato exports from Croatia increased in 2020. The country exported 7 072 tonnes, showing a dramatic 34.7% uptick from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 250 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 29.7% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia (28.9% of exports in kind), Czechia (22.0%), and Germany (20.9%) formed the main group of destinations for Croatian tomato exports by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.8% 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

Tomato exports from Croatia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Export value reached 8 818 thousand US dollars, up by 41.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 10.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 892 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia (38.4% of exports in value terms), Czechia (20.7%), and Germany (18.1%) were the main markets for Croatian tomato exports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.2% 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 tomato to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, foreign tomato supplies to Croatia declined in 2020. The country imported approximately 13 308 tonnes, marking a 26.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 093 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 35.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (36.3% of imports in kind), Italy (18.5%), and Spain (9.3%) formed the main cluster of markets for tomato imports to Croatia by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 64.1% 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, K $ US

After two years of improvement, tomato import volumes to Croatia declined in 2020. Import value amounted to 13 693 thousand US dollars, down by 30.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 565 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (30.0% of imports in value terms), Italy (23.6%), and Spain (13.5%) consistently remained the main destinations for tomato imports to Croatia by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 67.1% of total import flows.

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

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