Wood in the rough market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Croatia showed variability between 2018 and 2023. Production reached 3 510 thousand tons in 2019, with market size peaking at 3 441 thousand tons the same year. A contraction followed, with production falling to 3 241 thousand tons and market size dropping to 3 046 thousand tons in 2021. Partial recovery occurred in 2022, but production and market volume remained below 2019 levels by 2023.

Trade flows shifted notably during the period. Imports more than doubled from 152 thousand tons in 2021 to 285 thousand tons in 2023, before declining to 209 thousand tons in 2024. Exports demonstrated strong growth, rising from 192 thousand tons in 2018 to 400 thousand tons in 2024. By 2024, the wood and timber processing sector faced a crisis linked to a stalled construction industry, which saturated the market for raw wood, particularly logs, and contributed to large inventories of industrial wood.

Production wood in the rough in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

Croatia's production of wood in the rough declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 3 402 K t, marking a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 510 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a modest 0.3% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wood in the rough production in Croatia reached 474.9 M $ US, representing a significant 25.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 377.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5% during this timeframe.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Croatia

Exports in kind, K t

Croatia's exports of wood in the rough increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 258.9 K t, showing a 13.2% rise from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports actually decreased by 21.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 191.9 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 19.3% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Slovenia, Italy, and Hungary—collectively accounted for 73.7% of Croatia's total wood in the rough exports 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 wood in the rough exports increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 36 144 K $ US, representing a substantial 46.7% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 221 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 42.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia (27.3% of export value), Italy (21.2%), and Hungary (13.9%) were the leading markets for Croatia's wood in the rough exports in value terms, together comprising 62.4% 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 wood in the rough to Croatia

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Croatia imported 114.4 K t of wood in the rough, which was 28.4% lower than the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 159.7 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a remarkable 112.9% surge.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Slovenia and Hungary were the primary sources for Croatia's wood in the rough imports in volume terms, together accounting for 87.5% of total imports, while other partners held much smaller shares.

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

The import market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2019, import values varied by a factor of two. In 2020, Croatia's wood in the rough imports amounted to 8 923 K $ US, indicating a 41.1% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 147 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 92.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia (58.6% of import value), Hungary (21.1%), and Austria (6.2%) were the main sources for Croatia's wood in the rough imports in value terms, collectively representing 85.9% 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