According to the farmers, the government is doing too little to support them during these difficult times. The actions mainly took place in the cities of Đurđevac, Koprivnica, and some surrounding villages in the northeastern part of Croatia bordering Hungary.
The Vedrish family from Stari Gradac near Pitomacha dumped more than ten tons of peppers and cucumbers on the street, revealed the local TV station HTV. "The price was too low and during the sale period they paid us 20 cents per kilo, while our daily expenses are higher. There are also many imported goods from Serbia and Albania," said Marin Vedrish.
The low prices for agricultural products in Croatia are the result of a complex interplay of factors. An important cause is the sharply increased import of cheap vegetables and fruit from other EU countries, such as neighboring Slovenia, Hungary, and from Serbia.
Croatian supermarkets prefer cheaper imported products in their purchasing policies, leading to a reduced demand for locally grown crops and thus lower prices for Croatian farmers. Additionally, rising costs for agricultural production, such as fuel, fertilizers, and labor, play a role.
This has not only economic consequences for the farmers themselves but also for the wider rural communities that largely depend on agriculture as their main source of income. The decline in local production can also lead to a loss of agricultural knowledge and traditions passed down through generations.
Another problem is the inefficient organization of the mostly small-scale agricultural sector in Croatia. The country has been a member of the EU since 2013 and adopted the euro as its currency last year. Many agricultural family businesses face difficulties in acquiring and retaining farmland due to bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of clear regulations concerning land leasing.
The farmers are calling on the Croatian government to take measures that protect them against the unfair competition of foreign products. So far, the Croatian government has not taken concrete steps to address the problem.
Farmers’ organizations are urging direct intervention, such as setting minimum prices for local products and improving regulations. There is also a call for increased investment in technology and innovation in the agricultural sector.