Drought and pests threaten agricultural yields in Croatia and Neretva Valley

Agricultural producers in Croatia and the Neretva Valley are facing significant challenges due to drought and pests. In the Neretva Valley, the upcoming mandarin harvest is threatened by extreme temperatures and sun damage, resulting in smaller fruit sizes. Additionally, the Mediterranean fruit fly poses a major threat; producers report that organized protection measures, including the SIT method of releasing sterile males, were not implemented in a timely manner.

In Croatia, prolonged periods without rain have severely impacted sugar beet crops. Farmers report that crops are small, brown, and dry, leading to concerns regarding the viability of sugar production. In the Vukovar-Srijem County, drought has been declared a natural disaster. While the Ministry of Agriculture has announced aid in the form of increased subsidies, producers remain concerned about the economic impact of reduced yields and the difficulty of processing damaged crops.