Croatia: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Croatia

The Croatian salt market contracted to $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Salt consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Production in Croatia

In value terms, salt production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 16%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Exports

Exports from Croatia

In 2022, approx. X tons of salt and pure sodium chloride were exported from Croatia; increasing by 14% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 99% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 59% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Slovenia (X tons), Bosnia and Herzegovina (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main destinations of salt exports from Croatia, together comprising 76% of total exports. Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Serbia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +256.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for salt exported from Croatia were Slovenia ($X), Bosnia and Herzegovina ($X) and Austria ($X), together accounting for 63% of total exports. Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +216.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average salt export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Serbia (+2.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports into Croatia

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride imported into Croatia fell to X tons, which is down by -4.4% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports rose slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +52.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Tunisia (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of salt imports to Croatia, together comprising 68% of total imports. Slovenia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Slovenia (with a CAGR of +31.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt suppliers to Croatia were Austria ($X), Tunisia ($X) and Slovenia ($X), together comprising 56% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +26.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average salt import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+0.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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