Croats Overwhelmingly Choose Domestic Wines: 90% of Consumers Prefer Croatian Labels
Research by JaTRGOVAC magazine and Hendal agency reveals that 81% of citizens drink wine, with white wines and those from Dalmatia being the most popular.
Research by JaTRGOVAC magazine and Hendal agency reveals that 81% of citizens drink wine, with white wines and those from Dalmatia being the most popular.
Croatian consumers show remarkable loyalty to domestic vineyards. According to research conducted in June 2026 by JaTRGOVAC magazine and Hendal agency, as many as 90% of respondents prefer wine from local producers. Only one in ten consumers gives preference to imported labels.
These figures confirm the deep trust citizens have in the quality of Croatian wines and the importance of local production. The research was conducted on a nationally representative sample of citizens over 16 years of age, balanced by gender, age, and educational status.
When it comes to preferences by wine type, white is the undisputed favorite. Exactly half of consumers (50%) choose it. Red wine captures the attention of 42% of respondents, while rosé is the choice of 8% of consumers.
These percentages reflect traditional habits as well as climatic conditions where lighter, chilled white wines often emerge as a natural choice, especially during warmer months.
Analysis of the popularity of wine regions shows Dalmatia at the top with 39% of the votes. Slavonia, known for its graševina and traminac wines, takes second place with 26%, while Istrian wines are preferred by 22% of respondents.
Wines from Hrvatsko Zagorje are the most frequent choice for 10% of consumers, and Moslavina attracts 2% of wine lovers. This regional distribution confirms the diversity of the Croatian wine scene and the strong connection consumers have with local wine-growing areas.
The research showed that 81% of Croatian citizens consume wine. Six percent enjoy a glass daily, while 18% drink wine at least once a week. Monthly consumption is reported by 19% of citizens.
Interestingly, 21% of respondents drink wine exclusively on special occasions, and 17% do so rarely. On the other hand, 19% of citizens do not consume this beverage at all, meaning that approximately four out of five Croats occasionally reach for a glass of wine.
