Croatia reports 37 million euros in natural disaster damages

Natural disaster damages in Croatia have reached approximately 37 million euros between the start of 2026 and August 19, according to David Vlajčić, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. This announcement was made during a bilateral meeting with Slovenian Agriculture Minister Janez Cigler Kralj at the AGRA international agricultural and food fair.

Reflecting on previous trends, Vlajčić noted that in 2025, total reported damages to agricultural crop yields reached 358 million euros, with approximately 320 million euros attributed to drought. The ministers discussed the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, heat stress, and pests, and their impact on water availability, livestock feed, and food security.

Croatia is proposing a joint initiative to the European Commission to strengthen the European system for managing agricultural risks and crises. The proposal advocates for increased funding for crisis situations, faster activation of European aid, and greater flexibility for member states to implement crisis measures, with a shift in focus from damage compensation toward prevention and climate change adaptation.