Neretva Valley mandarin producers face falling prices and high costs

The mandarin harvest in the Neretva Valley is nearing completion, with approximately 80 percent of the crop already collected. However, producers are facing significant economic challenges due to a combination of drought, smaller fruit sizes, and rising production costs.

Purchase prices have dropped sharply, with some producers receiving less than 0.50 euros per kilogram. The harvest in marshy areas is particularly expensive, requiring intensive manual labor and complex transport involving boats to move crates to vehicles.

Producers have expressed concerns regarding market quality, noting that the sale of premature or sour fruit undermines consumer trust and slows sales. There are calls for stricter regulations and oversight from the Ministry of Agriculture to penalize the sale of substandard goods. Meanwhile, buyers claim that local producers are struggling to compete with cheaper imports from Spain and Turkey.