Potato production in Croatia trending down

Potato production in Croatia has shown a significant downward trend the past number of years and currently about 200,000 tons are produced annually, compared to the 2002 level of production amounting to 736,000 tons produced on more than 20,000 hectares.

 

 

Potato production in the country this year was characterized by unfavorable weather conditions which have already resulted up to 30% percent lower yields. At the same time the level of potato imports is on the rise.

 

 

Last year more than 22,000 tons of potatoes were imported to the country, with a total value of US$14.4 million. Exports during the same period came to only 545 tons (US$142,000) with the largest export markets primarily in neighbouring countries such as Bosnia and Serbia.

 

 

According to the Croatian agricultural magazine 'Agroklub', the current retail price of Croatian potatoes is very low, and ranges from US$60-80 cents per kilogram, not exceeding the costs of production.

 

 

Most of the local potatoes are harvested in Medjimurje and Varazdin regions, while most of the potato buyers are from large local retail chains.