The significant decline in domestic agricultural production in Croatia continued this year. According to the information of Dragan Kovačević, the vice-president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Agriculture and Tourism, in the first four months of the year, a continuation of the negative trends from previous years can be observed.

"Our exports have almost stagnated, imports have grown by 11 percent, and the coverage of imports with exports has decreased from last year's 68 to 62 percent. Of particular concern is the structure of foreign trade: 74 percent of the surplus is made up of oilseeds and cereals, while on the other hand we import large quantities of meat, milk, fruits and vegetables. "Croatia needs a turnaround in agricultural policy with clear priorities and a better focus on support, which requires changes in the strategic plan of the Common Agricultural Policy," said Kovacevic, as reported by the JaTrgovac portal.

According to the official data of the Ministry of Agriculture, 67,8 percent of the annual meat consumption was produced last year: 66,8 percent beef (70 percent a year earlier) and 57 percent pork (61 percent a year earlier). Last year, Croatia covered 80 percent of the production of eggs, 53 percent of milk, 47 percent of vegetables and 39 percent of fruit from its own production, the official figures of the Ministry reveal. The first unofficial estimates reveal that the decline continued last year: there is reportedly only about 50 percent domestic pork, less than 50 percent milk, less than 45 percent vegetables and about 35 percent fruit.

That would mean that Croatia imports 55 percent of the necessary quantities of vegetables and even 65 percent of fruit.

"Enough for our own needs and export, we only produce cereals, oilseeds and animal waste," says the Ministry