Croatia in the world and in the EU
In 2023, Croatia ranked 16th among EU-27 countries for fishery production and 9th for aquaculture production.
| (1.000 tonnes) | World | EU-27 | Croatia | % world | % EU-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catches | 91.681 | 3.555 | 56 | 0,06% | 2% |
| Aquaculture | 136.140 | 1.043 | 27 | 0,02% | 3% |
| Total | 227.821 | 4.598 | 83 | 0,04% | 2% |
Fishing fleet
| Vessels (2024) | Capacity (2024) | Power (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number: 6.860 | GT: 36.779 | KW: 315.503 | |
| TOTAL FTE: 3.200 (2023, SOURCE: JRC) | |||
| 0-11 m | 12-23 m | 24-39 m | >40 m |
| Jobs (FTE): 57% | Jobs (FTE): 26% | Jobs (FTE): 17% | Jobs (FTE): 0% |
Landings
Landings comprise the initial unloading of any fisheries products from on board a fishing vessel in a given Member State. They include aquatic plants and species not destined for human consumption. Landings are recorded in net weight and value, and concern landings made by vessels from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and the UK.
In 2023, all landings in Croatia consisted of fresh whole/gutted products destined for human consumption.
There are 275 fishing ports registered in the country (source: EU Master Data Register, 03 December 2025).
Main commercial species landed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes
Aquaculture
Aquaculture consists in the farming of aquatic (fresh or saltwater) organisms, such as fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquaculture data are reported in live weight equivalent and value.
Most of Croatian production is in marine waters and the rest in freshwater.
Main commercial species farmed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes
Producer organisations
Source: European Commission, List of the recognised producer organisations in the fishery and aquaculture sector
In Croatia, 5 producer organisations (POs) are formally recognized, all operating in the fishery sector. Their role is to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and of the Common organisation of the markets (CMO) through the collective management of their members' activities.
First sales
First sales concern the fish that is sold or registered at an auction center or to registered buyers or to producer organizations (PO). First sales may differ from landings since the former do not cover fish that is landed by vessels owned by processing companies or direct sales to processors.
In 2025, total first sales in Croatia places of sale amounted to 31.422 tonnes and 47 million euros.The top-3 places of sale covered 24% and 19% of total first sales, respectively in volume and value terms.
| Auctions | Volumes (tonnes) | Value (million euros) | Top-3 main commercial species (in value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pula | 3.013 | 3 | Sardine, gilthead seabream, squid |
| Rijeka | 1.773 | 3 | Anchovy, sardine, Norway lobster |
| Rovinj | 2.856 | 2 | Sardine, anchovy, bluefin tuna |
Processing
According to Eurostat-SBS, 1.260 persons were employed in the Croatian fish processing industry in 2023. The sector recorded a value added of 36 million euros, covering 3% of the value added of total manufacture of food products.
In 2024, the main products sold were “Frozen whole salt water fish” and “Prepared or preserved sardines, sardinella, brisling and sprats, whole or in pieces (excluding minced products and prepared meals and dishes)” (source: Eurostat-PRODCOM). (source: Eurostat-PRODCOM).
44 companies
Net turnover: 145
million euros
(2024, source: Eurostat - SBS)
Import
Main commercial species imported
and % of total imports
2024, million euros (nominal value)
Export
Main commercial species exported
and % of total exports
2024, million euros (nominal value)
Consumption
In 2023, apparent consumption was estimated at 22,96 kg per capita, a 6% increase compared with 2022. The most consumed species were sardine, squid and hake (source: EUMOFA).
22,96 kg
per capita in live
weight equivalent
(2023, source: EUMOFA)
The country in EUMOFA
| Landings | Aquaculture |
Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – Fishery. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. | Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – Fishery and integrated with FAO data. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. |
| First sales | Wholesale |
Volumes and values are collected from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Croatia on a monthly basis, and cover all species sold in Croatian places of sale. Data are accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. Data at disaggregated level are also accessible, through dashboards and the bulk download facility. | No data available |
| Import - Export | Processing |
Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – COMEXT. Data concern trade flows of all fisheries and aquaculture products as recorded by national customs. They are available on a monthly and yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. | Data are collected from Eurostat – PRODCOM. They concern ex-farm quantities and values of fisheries and aquaculture products sold in the country after being transformed from raw material into final products. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. |
| Consumption | |
| No data available |
- hrvatski