Wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings and cable-drums market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

After a decline to 12 328 tons in 2019, the Croatian market for wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings entered a sustained growth phase, with volume expanding to 19 429 tons by 2023. The upward trend coincided with heightened environmental awareness, as indicated in 2021 by the placement of over 122 000 tons of plastic packaging on the market, which likely boosted demand for wooden alternatives perceived as more sustainable.

Market volume peaked in 2023 but contracted by 13.8% to 16 752 tons in 2024. This reversal aligned with the adoption of new EU packaging regulations that year, which imposed strict recyclability criteria for most packaging materials and introduced upcoming deposit fees for beverage packaging. These regulatory changes increased compliance demands and affected market dynamics.

Production wooden packing cases and drums in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's production of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums reached a value of 4 039 thousand US dollars, representing a 9.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 39.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 8.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 39.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Croatia produced 14 579 tonnes of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums, marking a robust increase of 20.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 44.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 3.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 24.4%.

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

Exports wooden packing cases and drums from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's exports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 1 325 tonnes, up by 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 93.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 24.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of Croatia's exports in kind was dominated by Austria, which accounted for 80.2% of total flows, with a large number of minor partners making up the remainder.

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

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Croatia's exports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums reached 1 059 thousand US dollars, marking a strong year-on-year increase of 13.1%. The period saw a peak in 2018 at 1 119 thousand US dollars and a trough in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 182.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria played a leading role in Croatia's exports in value terms for wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums, holding an 80.5% share of total flows, with the remainder distributed across other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Croatia in value, 2017-2020

Imports wooden packing cases and drums to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums totaled 1 751 tonnes, which is 16.1% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 30.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 068 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 27.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 54.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (48.5% of imports in kind), Poland (14.3% of imports in kind), and Italy (10.0% of imports in kind) remained the main suppliers of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums to Croatia, collectively accounting for 72.8% of total imports in kind.

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 imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums amounted to 1 963 thousand US dollars, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 31.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 391 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 18.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 60.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (26.4% of imports in value terms), Italy (18.6% of imports in value terms), and Germany (14.7% of imports in value terms) led the ranking of suppliers of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums to Croatia, with their combined share reaching 59.7% of total imports 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