Croatian farmers face mounting challenges for the spring planting season as rising fuel and fertilizer prices threaten to push costs higher, industry officials said.
Mato Brlošić, a board member of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, told reporters on Monday that fuel costs alone are expected to total around €20 million for sowing, with around 50 million liters required. He added that fertilizer prices have surged even more sharply, now costing between €700-800 per ton compared with €400 previously, creating the largest cost pressures for farmers.
“Farmers cannot bear this crisis alone,” Brlošić said. “Either the government provides significantly more support, or sowing may be reduced, which would affect both producers and consumers.”
The Croatian government has announced support measures, including €20 million in aid to farmers, €8 million for the fishing sector, and a six-month moratorium on certain agricultural loans through HAMAG-Bicro. However, Brlošić said these interventions may only partially offset the rising input costs.
Fuel shortages have also caused long queues at petrol stations. In Đakovo, motorists waited in lines over 200 meters long, amid fears that diesel supplies may not meet demand. Officials have assured that adequate reserves exist and that government support should help maintain planting schedules.
Brlošić warned that crop prices, particularly cereals, will need to rise “several tens of percent” to keep farmers viable. He estimated that even a 30% increase in wheat prices would have minimal impact on retail bread costs, likely less than 1%.
The government’s measures aim to prevent the crisis from escalating, but industry representatives say the situation highlights the vulnerability of agricultural supply chains to global energy and fertilizer price shocks.
Farmers and officials will continue monitoring conditions in the coming weeks to assess whether further interventions are needed to safeguard the spring planting season.