Wood windows and frames market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Croatian wood windows and frames market saw significant volatility. Technical regulations for windows and doors, including fire resistance and smoke requirements, were implemented in 2018, helping to standardize the industry. The presence of a major domestic manufacturer, Lokve d.o.o., with integrated production from logs to finished products, supported local supply. Market size grew in 2019 but fell sharply in 2020, before recovering in 2021 alongside stricter environmental emission rules for manufacturing.

The adoption of the National Plan for the Development of Wood Processing and Furniture Production for 2023-2030 in 2022 provided a framework to stimulate the wood industry, including window manufacturing. This contributed to a modest market expansion in 2022. In 2023, despite reported increasing consumer preference for wood windows due to their aesthetics and energy efficiency, the market size experienced a slight contraction.

In 2024, the market surged by 48% to 19.8 million US dollars. This growth was primarily driven by government subsidies for window replacement and preparations for changes in construction legislation effective from 2026. New EU regulations on construction products and rising demand for wood windows with aluminum cladding and modern design further accelerated the market's expansion.

Production wood windows and frames in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of wood windows and frames was valued at 10 101 thousand US dollars, representing a 23.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.7%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, at 2.1%.

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

Exports wood windows and frames from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of wood windows and frames declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 344 tonnes, showing a significant drop of 10.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 78.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 39.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Slovenia, and Germany were the primary destinations for Croatia's wood windows and frames exports by volume. France accounted for 27.2% of exports, Slovenia for 23.1%, and Germany for 13.3%, together making up 63.6% of total export volumes.

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 wood windows and frames in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2 142 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 61.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Germany, and France were the key markets for Croatia's wood windows and frames exports by value. Slovenia held a 23.7% share, Germany 19.1%, and France 17.3%, collectively representing 60.1% of total export value.

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 windows and frames to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, Croatia's imports of wood windows and frames by volume declined. In 2020, imports totaled 640 tonnes, indicating a sharp drop of 23.7% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 839 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 20.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated Croatia's imports of wood windows and frames by volume, together accounting for 86.1% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed across various other markets in smaller amounts.

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

Following a two-year rise, Croatia's imports of wood windows and frames in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 768 thousand US dollars, which is 18.9% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 4 768 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the dominant sources for Croatia's imports of wood windows and frames by value, jointly making up 80.4% of total import value. Other countries contributed much smaller shares to the 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