Wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards and pallet collars market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

The Croatian wooden pallets market opened the 2018–2024 period under a key regulatory development. In 2018, competent authorities mandated that owners of wood packaging material must cooperate and report any changes in the treatment and marking of their products within 30 days, in accordance with the Phytosanitary Requirements Regulation. This shift towards stricter phytosanitary controls likely affected production standards and compliance costs for the industry. In physical terms, the market volume grew from 2.2 million units in 2018 to 2.3 million units in 2019, before contracting to 1.9 million units in 2020.

Market volume continued to decline to 1.8 million units in 2021, then rebounded strongly to 2.4 million units in 2022. A moderation to 2.1 million units followed in 2023, before a recovery to 2.4 million units in 2024. In value terms, the market demonstrated consistent growth throughout the period, rising from $14.6 million in 2018 to $23.1 million in 2024, indicating a trend of rising prices or a shift toward higher-value products.

Production wooden pallets and load boards in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 12 873 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

After a two-year decline, Croatia's production volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars increased. In 2020, 2 095 thousand units were produced, representing a 7.3% rise year-over-year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 6.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 952 thousand units, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with an 8.8% decrease.

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

Exports wooden pallets and load boards from Croatia

Exports in kind, K unit

Croatia's export volume of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 320 thousand units, showing a robust rise of 24.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 50.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Italy, and Austria were the primary buyers of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars from Croatia. Slovenia accounted for 25.6% of exports in kind, Italy for 21.5%, and Austria for 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 61.6% of total exports in kind.

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 wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 14 533 thousand US dollars, which is 11.5% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 39%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Italy, and Austria stood out as the main markets for exports in value terms. Slovenia contributed 26.5% of exports in value, Italy 19.6%, and Austria 14.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.6% 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 wooden pallets and load boards to Croatia

Imports in kind, K unit

In 2020, Croatia's imports of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars reached 2 095 thousand units, reflecting a gradual decrease of 3.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 817 thousand units, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 177 thousand units, which saw the largest increase of 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in kind were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Italy. Together, they accounted for 56.4% 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

Croatia's import value of wooden pallets, box pallets, load boards, and pallet collars increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 15 530 thousand US dollars, showing a slight uptick of 2.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Italy were the main markets for imports in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 24.2% of imports in value, Slovenia for 15.7%, and Italy for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 51.9% 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