The year 2025 may prove to be a turning point for the wine sector. The Osijek-Baranja County has been recognised as a European Wine City by RECEVIN (the European Network of Wine Cities), strengthening Croatia’s international standing and opening doors for new investment. This distinction reflects the country’s long winemaking tradition alongside consistent efforts to improve quality and develop exports.
Croatia has approximately 20,000 hectares of vineyards, spread across four main wine regions. Istria and Kvarner are known for Malvazija Istarska and Teran, as well as well-developed wine tourism infrastructure. Slavonia and Podunavlje form the heartland of Graševina production, one of Croatia’s most popular grape varieties. Dalmatia is celebrated for Plavac Mali, Pošip, and Babić — its vineyards, set on steep slopes above the Adriatic, lend the wines a distinctive character. Croatian Uplands, with its cooler climate, is well suited to varieties such as Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Annual wine production ranges from 700,000 to 900,000 hectolitres, with around 65% classified as premium wines (PDO and PGI). High yields per hectare are the result of both favourable natural conditions and modern viticultural technology.
Where Croatian Wine Is Exported
Exports of Croatian wine are growing strongly — in 2024, export value increased by 12%, reaching €55 million. According to 2023 data, the largest markets for Croatian wine were Bosnia and Herzegovina (31% of exports), Germany (13.9%), Montenegro (7.94%), and the United States (7.19%). Significant volumes are also exported to Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Serbia — primarily quality and organic wines.
It is worth noting that exports to the US, while still relatively modest, are growing steadily, driven by interest in unique grape varieties and boutique wineries. An increasing number of Croatian wineries are winning prestigious international awards, raising their profile on the global market. Brands such as Agrolaguna, Krauthaker, and Saints Hills enjoy considerable recognition, but fully realising this potential requires investment in distribution and the expansion of sales channels.
Challenges and Opportunities for the Sector
In recent years, wine tourism has played an increasingly important role in the sector’s development. Croatia attracts over 20 million tourists annually, and vineyards are becoming a primary destination for many of them. The growth of this segment opens new investment opportunities in boutique hotels associated with vineyards, restaurants specialising in local wines, and the organisation of exclusive tastings and wine events.
The Osijek-Baranja County plays a particularly important role in this process — as a European Wine City, it plans to further develop its tourism infrastructure, creating favourable conditions for investors in the HoReCa sector.
As elsewhere, despite positive trends, the Croatian wine sector also faces challenges. Climate change is generating increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. Rising production costs — including energy, labour, and materials — are squeezing margins, and competition from Italy and France means Croatia must invest in marketing to differentiate its wines in the global marketplace.
To address these challenges, Croatia is implementing wine sector modernisation programmes, investing in advanced production technologies, organic viticulture, and the digitalisation of production processes. EU support is also enabling infrastructure upgrades, further enhancing the sector’s competitiveness.
Croatian Wine in Numbers
In terms of profitability, Croatian wineries are delivering increasingly strong financial results. In 2023, the wine sector recorded a net profit of €5.7 million — an increase of 141.6%. Total sector revenues reached €141.9 million, with 65% of companies reporting a profit. In the same year, the value of Croatian wine exports stood at USD 20 million, representing 0.084% of the country’s total exports.
Despite its modest share of overall exports, the wine segment is developing steadily, with a growing number of producers focusing on quality, PDO/PGI certification, and sustainable practices. These figures indicate that investing in the Croatian wine market can yield attractive returns.
Among the most promising investment areas are boutique and organic vineyards, catering to rising demand for organic and biodynamic wines. Export expansion, supported by investment in logistics and distribution, can help Croatian producers increase their presence in international markets. Wine tourism — particularly the development of luxury wine estates offering immersive wine experiences — represents another highly promising avenue for growth.
Croatia is steadily building its position on the global wine market, combining tradition with a modern approach to production and sales. The Dionisio 2025 award, growing exports, and the expansion of wine tourism make the sector rich in opportunity for investors. Croatia currently holds 18 protected designations of origin (PDO) at EU level, enabling its wineries to market their products more effectively in international markets.
With stable sector growth and rising global recognition of Croatian wines, the country is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for those looking to invest in the future of European winemaking.
Are you considering exporting Croatian wines to new markets? Or exploring investment opportunities in the sector? Contact the CroBiz team — Croatian wines are far more than just a tasting experience; they represent a genuine investment opportunity.