Koprivnica Križevci County (KKC) is located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Croatia, with a total area of 1,748 km2 and according to the latest census from 2021, has 101,221 inhabitants, making it the seventeenth largest county in Croatia.
The administrative structure of KKC consists of 22 municipalities and 3 cities, and the seat of the County is the city of Koprivnica.
On the northeast KKC borders Hungary, and within the Republic of Croatia, KKC borders Međimurje, Varaždin, Zagreb, Bjelovar-Bilogora and Virovitica-Podravina counties.
The most important roads in the KKC are the state road DC 41 GP Gola – Koprivnica – Križevci – Vrbovec 1 junction, state road DC 2 (“Podravina Highway”), a subsection of the Gradec – Križevci expressway, of which 6 km passes through the Koprivnica Križevci County, and the railway lines on the Rijeka – Budapest and Varaždin – Osijek corridors. The existing geo-traffic position of the KKC will be improved by continuing the construction of the DC 10 Križevci – Koprivnica – Hungarian border expressway, constructing the Podravina expressway and by completing the construction of the second track of the Dugo Selo – Križevci – Hungarian border railway (Development Plan of Koprivnica Križevci County for the period 2021-2027, https://pora.com.hr/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PLAN-RAZVOJA-KKZ-ZA-RAZDOBLJE-2021-2027.-6.pdf)
According to data from the Payment Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development for 2023, there were a 8,786 agricultural farms in the KKC area in the Register of Farmers dominating with livestock production.
According to the economic structure of the Koprivnica Križevci County in 2023, there were active 2,034 crafts and 2,145 companies, of which: 1,844 micro, 268 small, 24 medium and 9 large companies . Micro and small companies make up 98% of the economic structure of Koprivnica Križevci County.
The most important economic branches are:
• processing activity (metal processing industry, pharmaceutical industry, food industry, wood processing industry and furniture production, paper and paper products production industry);
• wholesale and retail trade;
• agriculture;
• construction industry.
The most important companies in the KKC area in the above-mentioned activities are: Podravka p.l.c., Belupo p.l.c., Rasco Ltd., Bauwerk Group Croatia Ltd., Hartman p.l.c., Eko papir Ltd., Vemo trade Ltd., KTC p.l.c., Radnik p.l.c., Carlsberg Croatia Ltd., Mauthner Ltd., and Širjan Ltd.
The total revenue of companies in Koprivnica Križevci County in 2023 was 2.34 EUR billion, which is 4.77% more than in 2022. The net profit of entrepreneurs in the KKC in 2023 was 158 million EUR, which is 18.40% more than in 2022.
The foreign trade balance of entrepreneurs in 2023 was 229.8 million dollars.
The most significant entrepreneurs by total revenue in the KKC in 2023 were Podravka p.l.c. KTC p.l.c., Radnik p.l.c., Belupo p.l.c., Mauthner Ltd., Carlsberg Croatia Ltd., Bauwerk Group Croatia Ltd., Hartmnann Ltd., Poljocentar Ltd., Širjan Ltd.
The most significant entrepreneurs in terms of total profit before tax in 2023 in the KKC were Podravka p.l.c., Belupo p.l.c., Radnik p.l.c., KTC p.l.c., Igma Ltd., Multi-star Ltd., Bilokalnik-ipa p.l.c., Carlsberg Croatia Ltd., Hotel Picok Ltd., Hartmann Ltd.
The most significant entrepreneurs in terms of revenue from sales abroad in the KKC were Podravka p.l.c., Belupo p.l.c., Mauthner Ltd., Hartmann Ltd., Bauwerk Group Croatia Ltd., Carlsberg Croatia Ltd., Rasco Ltd., Eko papir Ltd., Širjan Ltd., Monolitinvest Ltd.
According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the average net salary per employee in legal entities for the fourth quarter of 2024 at the level of Koprivnica Križevci County was 1,232 EUR, which represents an increase of 13.65% compared to the same period of the previous year.
KKC also has significant tourism potential, which is reflected in wine (wine roads), hiking, cycling, cultural, religious, sports, hunting and fishing tourism, and is rich in natural and historical-cultural heritage, which represents a significant foundation for various forms of continental tourism with an emphasis on rural tourism. One of the largest tourism investment in the County currently is project in implementation “Reconstruction of the Inkey Castle into infrastructure for the development of wellness tourism” with a total value of 13.145.620,00 EUR.
According to data submitted by local government units (LGUs) in the area of 13 LGUs in the KKC area there are 26 active business zones in which economic activity is carried out (criteria for determining active entrepreneurial zones: the existence of an economic entity within the business zone), and other zones are planned or under construction (https://pora.com.hr/poduzetnicke-zone/).
KKC has certified 3 largest business zones through the investment region certification program: Koprivnički Ivanec, Gornji Čret and Radnička.
Entrepreneurial zones are operated by economic entities whose activities are mainly related to the processing industry (food production and processing, production of utility equipment, production of paper packaging, wood processing, etc.), trade and services. Local government units from the KKC area provide various benefits, including exemption from utility contributions, lower utility fees, and other benefits depending on the activity planned to be performed and in whose area the business zone is located.
Koprivnica Križevci County is part of the Northern Croatia region according to the NUTS 2 division and regarding new regional aid map, the intensity of support for entrepreneurs can range from 60% to 75%.
KKC encourages the development of entrepreneurship through the allocation of grants to entrepreneurs with an emphasis on investments towards the green transition (allocation of financial support to start-up companies, co-financing of interest on loans, equipment or energy systems, promotion of small businesses at fairs in the country and abroad, etc.). KKC also encourages the development of agriculture through the allocation of grants for investments in tangible assets, for perennial crops, for insurance in agriculture, for increasing the economic size of the agricultural holding, for beekeeping production, for control and certification of organic production, for industrial vegetable production, etc.
KKC together with the Krapina-Zagorje, Međimurje, Varaždin and Zagreb counties, form the Northern Croatia region, for which the Industrial Transition Plan for Northern Croatia (https://razvoj.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/Planovi%20industrijske%20tranzicije/PIT%20novo/Novo/PIT%20SH/Plan%20za%20industrijsku%20tranziciju%20Sjeverne%20Hrvatske.pdf) was adopted in November 2021 and revised in December 2022. At the level of the Industrial Transition Plan, 5 regional value chains and 15 priority niches (RLC) have been defined, which will be encouraged:
• RLC Smart Industry of Northern Croatia;
• RLC Vehicle Production of Northern Croatia;
• RLC Healthcare Industry of Northern Croatia;
• RLC Green Growth of Northern Croatia;
• RLC High Value Added Service Sector of Northern Croatia.
Through the process of industrial transition of Northern Croatia, the goal is to transform and diversify regional economies according to defined priority niches (https://razvoj.gov.hr/vijesti/industrijska-tranzicija-panonske-sjeverne-i-jadranske-hrvatske-5187/sjeverna-hrvatska-plan-za-industrijsku-tranziciju-i-rlv-akcijski-planovi/5201) located within the above-mentioned RLCs.
KKC is the holder of the “RIV” (“Regional Innovation Valley”) label awarded by the European Commission with the aim of improving the regional innovation system. KKC was awarded with the label “Rising Innovator” for the areas of “Achieving Circularity” and “Improving Health Care”.
There are 37 schools operating in the KKC area, of which 10 are secondary schools: 3 gymnasiums, 3 high schools, 2 vocational schools, 1 art school and 1 music school, and 3 gymnasiums are also Centers of Excellence for the promotion of gifted students.
In order to improve the quality of vocational education, Competence Center of KKC (https://www.cekom-kckzz.hr/en/) was established from the (sub)sector of electrical engineering and computing, which reconstructed and expanded the building of Vocational school Koprivnica and the building of the partner institution, Vocational School of Đurđevac.
Higher education in the KKC area takes place at the Križevci University of Applied Sciences, one of the oldest agricultural and forestry universities in Southeast Europe, operating since 1860 (https://www.vguk.hr/), University North in Koprivnica with 11 study programs (https://www.unin.hr/?l=en) and Đurđevac, where the undergraduate professional study of Computer Science and Informatics at the North University is conducted.
There are also 3 business incubators operating in the KKC area: Dravska Business Incubator and the Creative Industries Incubator managed by Enter Koprivnica Ltd., Đurđevac Business Incubator, managed by Stari grad Ltd., and Križevci Development Center and Technology Park, managed by the Križevci Entrepreneurial Center Ltd.
It is important to mention other entrepreneurial support institutions that provide support to entrepreneurs: Croatian Chamber of Economy – Koprivnica County Chamber, Chamber of Crafts of Koprivnica Križevci County, Regional Energy Agency North (REA North) and PORA Regional Development Agency of Koprivnica Križevci County.
[Source: Koprivnica Križevci County, April 2025]
| GDP EUR | 1.676.679.281 |
| Population | 99.229 |
| Men | 48.857 |
| Women | 50.372 |
| Age 0-14 | 14.134 |
| Age 15+ | 85.095 |
| GDP Per Capita EUR | 16.913,06 |
| Area Size km² | 1.748 |
| Motorways km | 0 |
| Broadband Connections number and density | 18.827 / 55% |
| Number of issued building permits | 266 |
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Foreign Direct Investments million EUR | 199 |
| Activity | Amount |
|---|---|
| Manufacture of food products | 54,25 |
| Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding | 36,19 |
| Manufacture of paper and paper products | 33,30 |
| Manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials | 26,17 |
| Beverage production | 17,75 |
| Other | 31,47 |
| Country | Amount |
|---|---|
| Malta | 43,12 |
| Denmark | 41,43 |
| Italy | 34,98 |
| Switzerland | 19,59 |
| Hungary | 17,57 |
| Other | 42,45 |
| Asset type | Amount (EUR, 000) |
|---|---|
| Buildings, spaces and structures | 171.990 |
| Machinery and equipment with fittings | 57.253 |
| Transport equipment | 7.644 |
| Cultivated biological resources | 4.267 |
| Intellectual property products | 11.219 |
| Total | 255.724 |
| Company | Activity | Website |
|---|---|---|
| HARTMANN d.o.o. | MANUFACTURING | http://www.hartmann-packaging.com |
| PODRAVKA d.d. | MANUFACTURING | http://www.podravka.hr |
| KTC d.d. | WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE | http://www.ktc.hr |
| VODNE USLUGE d.o.o. | WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION | http://ww.vukz.hr |
| KOMUNALIJE d.o.o. | WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION | http://www.komundju.hr |
| LDC Agro d.o.o. | TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE | http://- |
| RADNIK d.d. | CONSTRUCTION | http://www.radnik.hr |
| POLJOCENTAR d.o.o. | BUSINESS ENTITY WITHOUT ACTIVITY IDENTIFICATION | http://poljocentar@poljocentar.hr |
| BELUPO d.d. | MANUFACTURING | http://www.belupo.hr |
| PIŠKORNICA d.o.o. | WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION | http://www.rcgo-piskornica.hr |
| Large enterprises | Medium enterprises | Small and micro-enterprises |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 60% | 70% |
| Eduction level | Number of pupils |
|---|---|
| Kindergartens and Other Legal Entities Implementing Preschool Education Programmes | 3.816 |
| Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year | 7.856 |
| Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year | 3.740 |
| Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence | 2.311 |
| Educational Sector | Number of Institutions | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| Economics, trade and business administration | 3 | 425 |
| Electrical engineering and computing | 2 | 421 |
| Agriculture, food and veterinary | 3 | 378 |
| Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy | 4 | 375 |
| Tourism and catering | 4 | 315 |
| Health and social work | 1 | 270 |
| Construction and geodesy | 2 | 145 |
| Personal, security and other services | 2 | 101 |
| Transport and logisitics | 2 | 88 |
| Graphic technology and audio-visual design | 1 | 42 |
| Forestry and wood processing | 2 | 41 |
| Geology, mining, petroleum and chemical technology | 1 | 31 |
| Textiles and leather | 1 | 3 |
| Name | Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study |
|---|---|
| School of Professional Higher Education in Agriculture, Križevci | 87 |
| University North, Koprivnica | 789 |
| Activity | Number of Business Entities | Number of Persons Employed | Average Monthly Gross Earnings per Person in Paid Employment (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 127 | 766 | 1.532 |
| Mining and quarrying | 4 | 330 | 1.663 |
| Manufacturing | 382 | 8.918 | 1.484 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 44 | 282 | 1.963 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 22 | 580 | 1.397 |
| Construction | 358 | 2.307 | 1.421 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 489 | 3.042 | 1.395 |
| Transportation and storage | 112 | 1.059 | 1.434 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 131 | 601 | 1.214 |
| Information and communication | 116 | 247 | 2.168 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 17 | 499 | 2.093 |
| Real estate activities | 30 | 19 | 1.295 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 231 | 708 | 1.720 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 63 | 236 | 1.171 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security | 54 | 1.432 | 2.107 |
| Education | 85 | 3.189 | 1.966 |
| Human health and social work activities | 118 | 2.070 | 2.225 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 448 | 309 | 1.572 |
| Other service activities | 1.200 | 294 | 1.276 |
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5,00% |
| Activity | Number |
|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 43 |
| Mining and quarrying | 1 |
| Manufacturing | 252 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 4 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 10 |
| Construction | 110 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 130 |
| Transportation and storage | 31 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 112 |
| Information and communication | 17 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 11 |
| Real estate activities | 4 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 33 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 59 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security | 166 |
| Education | 66 |
| Human health and social work activities | 68 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 16 |
| Other service activities | 56 |
| Not classified | 308 |
| Total | 1.497 |
| Name | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Koprivnica-Križevci County, Administrative Department for Economy, Utilities, Agriculture, | jasna.sabolic@kckzz.hr | https://www.kckzz.hr/ |
| PORA Regional Development Agency Agency of Koprivnica Križevci County | marina.skrznaric@pora.com.hr | https://pora.com.hr/?lang=en |
| Croatian Chamber of Economy – Koprivnica County Chamber | hgkkc@hgk.hr | https://www.obrtnicka-komora-koprivnica.hr/ |
| County Chamber of Crafts of Koprivnica Križevci County | ok.koprivnica@hok.hr | https://www.obrtnicka-komora-koprivnica.hr/ |
| Dravska Business Incubator and Creative Industries Incubator managed by Enter Koprivnica Ltd. | info@enterkoprivnica.hr | https://www.enterkoprivnica.hr/en/ |
| Đurđevac Business Incubator managed by Stari grad Ltd. | inkubator@djurdjevac.hr | https://inkubator-djurdjevac.hr/ |
| Križevci Development Center and Technology Park managed by Križevci Entrepreneurial Center Ltd. | direktor@kpc.hr | https://kpc.hr/ |
| Regional Energy Agency North (REA North) | info@rea-sjever.hr | https://rea-sjever.hr/en/home/ |
| Service for citizens and entrepreneurs of Koprivnica Križevci County | https://kckzz.hr/hr/servisi-za-gradane-i-poduzetnike |
