RTD coffee sales in Croatia continued to grow in 2025, driven by rising seasonal demand and strong uptake among both locals and tourists. Its role as a refreshing summer beverage boosts trial and integration into warm-weather habits, while new functional innovations, including high-protein iced coffees, expand its appeal to health-focused consumers, supporting long-term category growth. Advancements in production, distribution, and digital engagement position RTD coffee as a modern, lifestyle-dr

2025 marked a notable rebound for RTD tea in Croatia, driven by a mix of innovation, brand diversification, and lifestyle-led marketing, positioning the category for continued moderate growth over the forecast period. While regular still RTD tea continued to account for the majority of sales, reduced sugar still RTD tea gained traction, benefiting from growing consumer awareness of healthier lifestyles, and manufacturers increasingly reformulating their brands to meet changing consumer preferenc

In 2025, hot weather, tourism and product renewal outweighed the lingering effects of high prices and shifting preferences toward bottled and functional waters. The result was a modest but clear increase in volume sales for carbonates in the year, and a more dynamic category environment heading into the next season.

Retail volume sales of soft drinks in Croatia increased in 2025, marking another year of steady category expansion. Growth was supported by rising demand across several key categories, most notably bottled water, carbonates, juice, energy drinks, sports drinks, and RTD tea. The strongest contributors were bottled water and carbonates, which together accounted for the majority of total soft drinks consumption. Bottled water continued to benefit from its healthy, natural image and the country’s to

In 2025, Cedevita and Toco Loco exemplified how technological innovation, playful design, and digital marketing are reshaping the concentrates market in Croatia. These developments helped drive a modest but steady increase in retail volume sales in 2025, confirming that even mature beverage categories can grow through creativity and consumer engagement. On-trade was the most dynamic channel for concentrates in 2025, underscoring the category’s ability to expand beyond household use and capture n

Further growth of bottled water in 2025 reflected Croatia’s broader move toward healthier, more sustainable, and premium beverage choices. Functional bottled water achieved the highest growth, driven by expanding consumer interest in beverages that combine hydration with added health benefits, including vitamins, minerals and herbal ingredients.

2025 marked another year of solid volume gains for energy drinks in Croatia, driven by diversified consumption occasions, brand innovation, and strong category visibility across multiple retail channels. Going forward, while the pace of expansion will gradually moderate as the category matures, energy drinks is set to maintain consistent volume growth through to 2030, driven by innovation, affordability, and entrenched consumer demand for energy-boosting beverages.

A moderate increase in juice consumption in Croatia in 2025 was driven by improved affordability, effective promotions, and sustained interest in natural and functional beverages, even as consumers continued to balance price sensitivity with health considerations. Nectars benefited from their mid-priced positioning and broader appeal among budget-conscious households.

Rising health consciousness and the expanding fitness culture in Croatia fuelled strong growth of sports drinks in 2025, particularly isotonic and recovery drinks. With improved availability and affordability, sports drinks have broadened their appeal well beyond professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts, attracting everyday consumers who perceive them to be refreshing and healthier alternatives to sugary soft drinks. In addition, social media and the sponsorship of sporting events have enha

Although state finances are sound and economic freedom is better, the leadership is growing more hostile towards the West. Economic performance is outpacing peers and inflation is falling, but the country is grappling with a shortage of labour. Urbanisation is accelerating, but Croatia is ageing and gender disparity is relatively large. Innovation is creating world-class technology companies, but internet use is low and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are digitalising only slowly.

Retail value sales of hot drinks in Croatia rose in 2025, driven primarily by price inflation, premiumisation in coffee, and a sustained cultural attachment to hot beverages despite consumer price fatigue and declining purchasing power. The most important factor was the continuation of high global coffee and cocoa prices, which translated directly into higher retail prices. Both Atlantic Grupa dd and Franck dd, Croatia’s leading coffee roasters, reported that rising input and energy costs contin

While other hot drinks in Croatia faces challenges from a declining child population and growing health awareness around sugar, higher average prices and renewed consumer interest in comfort-oriented drinks supported solid value gains in 2025. Innovation in terms of reduced sugar or fortified versions also helped to sustain demand in the year. Chocolate-based powder drinks continued to dominate the category, being family staples.

Although the tea market in Croatia remains mature and volume growth is modest, tea continues to perform well in value terms thanks to its strong health positioning and its role as an affordable indulgence amid economic uncertainty. The combination of sustained wellness trends, moderate premiumisation, and higher unit prices ensured that the category achieved another year of value growth in 2025.

The increase in value sales of coffee in Croatia in 2025 reflects a market balancing high input costs with sustained consumer attachment to coffee. Although price growth drove much of the value increase, innovation, lifestyle positioning, and a resilient coffee culture ensured that retail demand remained stable in volume terms.

Value sales growth of baked goods in Croatia in 2025 was mainly supported by price adjustments, higher production costs being passed on, and steady consumer demand for both staple and premium bakery products. While the category remains dominated by traditional bread and pastry staples, health and wellness considerations are gradually influencing baked goods, and retailers and bakeries are increasingly emphasising ingredient quality and freshness.

Value gains in breakfast cereals in Croatia in 2025 were shaped by inflationary pressures and growing demand for both wholesome and indulgent breakfast options, while real consumption volumes remained quite stable. Muesli and granola outperformed other cereal types, offering both health appeal and perceived value stability in a year marked by inflation and shifting dietary priorities. The health and wellness trend is reshaping the category by encouraging reformulation, product innovation, and th

Processed fruit and vegetables demonstrated resilience in 2025 by balancing affordability with growing awareness of nutritional and origin-based quality. The category’s health and wellness direction in 2025 was shaped by trust in domestic produce, minimal processing, and natural composition, with growth driven by consumers who value wholesome, familiar, and nutritious ingredients.

Value growth of pasta, rice and noodles in Croatia in 2025 reflected the balance between premiumisation in pasta, stable demand for everyday staples, and price-sensitive shopping behaviours. The trends of seeking affordable options and private label growth were key in sustaining performance, while innovation in fresh and specialty pasta provided incremental value gains.

Value sales of staple foods in Croatia rose in 2025, supported mainly by stable consumer demand and residual price effects, while volume sales remained broadly flat. Inflationary pressure persisted, but was moderated by temporary price controls and consumer boycotts, which discouraged further price hikes by retailers and manufacturers. As a result, growth was largely nominal, reflecting steady consumption rather than strong real expansion.

2025 was marked by stable consumption, higher average prices, and continued modernisation of production, helping the category achieve steady value growth despite inflationary pressures. While traditional processed meat continues to dominate sales, the rapid rise of plant-based and hybrid options, which is supported by greater retail visibility and improving product quality, illustrates the diversification of consumer preferences in 2025.

Sauces, dips and condiments in Croatia delivered a positive but moderate value increase in 2025. After several years of price turbulence, the category experienced more stable pricing dynamics, with growth increasingly supported by innovation, seasonality and convenience rather than pure inflationary momentum. The recovery of summer tourism continued to play an important role in bolstering pantry staples, as visitors typically rely on easy-to-use and long-shelf-life condiments for quick meal prep

Sweet spreads in Croatia delivered another year of retail value growth in 2025, sustained by solid household penetration, tourist demand and a continuing shift from homemade preserves toward convenient, branded or private label alternatives. Jams and preserves recorded the fastest gains, benefiting from affordability and variety at a time when elevated cocoa and nut prices kept chocolate spreads comparatively expensive. While inflationary momentum subsided relative to prior years, global cocoa c

Edible oils in Croatia recorded a positive performance in 2025 as prices began to stabilise and volume demand recovered. Sunflower oil carried most of the growth, while olive oil remained structurally premium but flatter in value terms as prices gradually normalised. Although olive oil stayed notably more expensive than the EU average, steady month-on-month price easing and targeted brand price cuts softened the impact on shoppers. Consumers continued to turn to private label in sunflower oil, w

Cooking ingredients and meals in Croatia recorded a solid value increase in 2025 as prices broadly stabilised and volumes rebounded across several categories. After years of inflationary strain, unit prices softened for key staples such as sunflower oil and mainstream sauces, aided by VAT relief and a continuing retail price cap on one-litre sunflower oil. Olive oil remained structurally expensive, while cocoa prices sustained pressure on chocolate spreads. The result was slower price growth tha