This paper analyzes the Croatian wine sector through the records of wine production, exports and imports, and compare it with EU and US wine market. Data for this study covers the period of 29 years (from 1992 to 2021). They were collected from the following public sources: FAO, OIV, and PAAFARD. The main characteristics of the Croatian wine industry are small vineyards, a small share in European wine production, and a negative export-import balance. The production of wine in Croatia makes up only a small part of the total production in the EU. Croatian wine production is uncompetitive on the global stage and hardly recognized on the World’s wine maps. After the transition and joining the EU, wine production and export out of Croatia showed a negative trend; the area under vineyards is decreasing, and the quantity of produced grapes was decreasing. As a smaller producer of wine, Croatia was not negatively impacted by the liberalization which the Common Market Organization reform in 2008 ruled; since the unfavorable structure on the farms and lack of competitiveness. Statistical analysis from the collected data shows that EU wine making is stagnating globally, and New World countries are increasing their production and consumption. A market for high-quality wine and with protected geographical origin could be a good niche for the successful placement of Croatian wines in EU and USA markets.

Croatian wine production, export, import, global wine market

agronomy

Presentation: poster