Analysis of the Croatian vegetables market

Accession of Croatia to European Union has increased exposure of domestic vegetable growers to competition from foreign markets. The aim of this study was to determine the situation and problems on the Croatian vegetables market. Based on the method of supply balance sheets this paper analyzes the vegetable market in Croatia in the period from 2010 to 2012. Results showed that the production of vegetables in Croatia in this period covers less than 65% of domestic consumption. In 2012, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions and garlic were Croatia's most important vegetable crops, which made up 66% of the total domestic production of vegetables. Total vegetables consumption in 2012 amounted to 114.3 kg per capita (pc), the highest per capita consumption being for potatoes (44 kg pc), followed by tomatoes (15.8 kg pc), onion and garlic (9.9 kg pc), and carrots (6.7 kg pc). The domestic vegetables market is characterized by a negative foreign trade balance and dependence on imports. The biggest amount of vegetables is imported from the Netherlands, Italy and Spain while the primary export destinations are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Serbia. Insufficient production is the result of inefficient distribution, small production plots, unmanaged production infrastructure, lack of heating and irrigation systems, lack of systems for protection from hail and frost, as well as lack of storage capacity. Competitiveness of the Croatian vegetable market can be increased by consolidation and technological modernization of production, and by encouraging vertical and horizontal integration of all stakeholders in the supply chain of vegetables.