Croatia: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in Croatia

For the third year in a row, the Croatian frozen freshwater fish market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -40.9% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption faced a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 6.2%. Frozen freshwater fish consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in Croatia

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production contracted markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 517% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports from Croatia

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of frozen freshwater fish increased by 22% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 201% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded noticeable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 132% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for frozen freshwater fish exports from Croatia, with a 61% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen freshwater fish exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Slovenia (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Serbia (X tons), with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Italy stood at -1.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (+4.0% per year) and Serbia (-8.1% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for frozen freshwater fish exports from Croatia, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Slovenia ($X), with an 8.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Serbia, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Italy totaled +5.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (+1.4% per year) and Serbia (-8.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen freshwater fish export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw moderate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Albania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Albania (+27.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports into Croatia

In 2021, overseas purchases of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -48.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 360%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports shrank modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 71%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Morocco (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of frozen freshwater fish to Croatia, accounting for a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen freshwater fish imports from Morocco exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), fourfold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Morocco stood at +89.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+6.5% per year) and France (+20.6% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X), Morocco ($X) and Slovenia ($X) constituted the largest frozen freshwater fish suppliers to Croatia, with a combined 60% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +71.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen freshwater fish import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 90% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a deep setback. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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