Croatia vineyards face significant losses from spreading grapevine disease

A grapevine disease known as flavescence dorée, or grapevine yellows, is spreading across 14 counties in Croatia, causing significant damage to the nation's wine industry. The disease is transmitted by the American grapevine leafhopper, and because there is no cure, infected vines must be removed to prevent further spread.

Since 2017, Croatia has lost 22.3% of its total vineyard area. The issue is particularly severe in northern and north-western regions, such as Hrvatsko Zagorje. In one instance near Klanjec, a single grower reported being forced to remove approximately 10,000 infected vines.

The spread is exacerbated by abandoned and neglected vineyards, which serve as breeding grounds for the leafhopper. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated €800,000 for mitigation measures. Additionally, Krapina-Zagorje County has launched a program to provide 25,000 free vine seedlings this year to assist producers.