Croatia

Croatians love their coffee, but it is a mature product with little room for growth. Also, in 2023, with prices still rising, this puts a further dampening effect on coffee, with both volume and constant value sales expected to fall. Continuing…

The sharp price growth in staple foods seen in 2022 has moderated in 2023. Retailers are trying to reduce further oscillations by introducing heavy discounts and gradual price changes. Whilst Croatian consumers remain extremely price sensitive due to…

Plain noodles are key ingredients in many Asian dishes and are therefore seeing strong demand as this cuisine continues to be popular amongst Croatians. Demand also continues to be supported by noodles’ quick preparation time. In addition, given the…

While current retail value sales of processed meat see double-digit growth in 2023, volume decline is attributable to higher unit prices, with the increasing cost of raw meat, animal food, energy and transportation being passed on to the consumer.…

Within processed fruit and vegetables, frozen variants are expected to see the strongest current retail value sales growth in Croatia in 2023. The popularity of these products can be attributed to many factors, including their long shelf life, which…

Whilst the rising production and logistics costs of 2022 have eased, breakfast cereals prices continue their upward trajectory in 2023 as retailers seek to maintain high margins, with no government system to keep them in check. The category still…

Following steep price growth in baked goods in 2022, wheat and flour prices stabilised in 2023. This is particularly important for bread as it is heavily dependent on flour prices. Croatians are strong bread consumers, and it was expected that volume…

Chocolate spreads and jams and preserves are set to post negative results in retail volume terms for a third consecutive year in 2023. This is partly due to rising health-consciousness in Croatia, as these product types are typically high in sugar.…

Chili sauces and barbecue sauces look set to be the most dynamic categories within sauces, dips and condiments in retail volume growth terms in 2023. While growth rates for both will be skewed somewhat by the ongoing emergence of sales from a…

Growth in retail volume sales of ready meals in Croatia in 2023 looks set to be up substantially on 2022, with all categories expected to post improved results in this respect. This is mainly explained by the return to pre-pandemic routines, in that…

Following a sharp contraction in 2022, overall retail volume sales of edible oils in Croatia have rebounded strongly in 2023. The return to growth has been underpinned by the stabilisation of unit prices, which had risen dramatically the previous…

After declining in 2022, overall retail volume sales of cooking ingredients and meals in Croatia are set to increase moderately in 2023. This recovery is partly explained by the gradual easing of inflationary pressures linked to the global recovery…

A low corporate tax rate and better finances are leading to enhanced economic freedom in Croatia, although corruption continues to be an issue and politics is moving to the right. Adoption of the euro could boost investment and tourism, but the…

As the Croatian population was required to stay at home for extended periods in 2020 and 2021, due to COVID-19 regulations, yoghurt experienced a shift in consumer perception and usage. Historically, yoghurt was mainly considered a convenient…

Plant-based milk is gaining popularity in Croatia, as evidenced by the growing percentage of the population now purchasing them. Plant-based milk products are most commonly purchased by higher-income groups living in urban areas. Even though the…

Despite the growing importance of health and wellness, the price hikes, and general economic instability, both coffee whiteners and cream are witnessing healthy growth in 2023. When it comes to coffee drinking in Croatia, tradition always outweighs…

Consumers are paying more attention to the safety and origin of food and drinking milk products, and are looking to support local brands as much as possible. This is especially true as the economy falters. A national food designation scheme entitled…

The dairy products and alternatives category is on course to experience limited growth in retail volume and current value sales in 2023. The unstable economic climate is hindering retail volume sales with the increase in fuel prices and the war in…

Lactose-free varieties have gained popularity at the expense of standard cheese in 2023. While this is partly due to the well-established tendency towards rising health awareness among the population, many consumers have also become more willing to…

Despite the recovery of pre-pandemic lifestyles, with Croatians returning to office workplaces and spending less time at home, margarine sales continue to decrease. In recent years, margarine has been labelled as a less healthy option than butter,…