Croatia imports more olive oil than produced for the first time

For the first time in history, Croatia has imported more olive oil than it produced. According to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, domestic production fell by nearly 30 percent last year, dropping from 63,000 hectoliters in 2024 to 46,000 hectoliters in 2025. During the same period, imports rose significantly from approximately 37,000 hectoliters to nearly 60,000 hectoliters, meaning imports exceeded production by 31 percent.

Producers attribute the decline to extreme weather conditions, specifically prolonged drought and temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius for extended periods. These conditions have resulted in smaller fruit with lower oil content and may force an earlier harvest.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries stated that the situation is not concerning, attributing the fluctuations to climate change and insufficient implementation of agrotechnical measures. Officials suggested that olive oil producers should unite to strengthen their market position and lower input costs.