Croatian farmers threaten protests over low grain prices

Croatian farmers are threatening widespread protests, including border blockades, if the Ministry of Agriculture does not address the critically low prices for grains. The Syndicate of Employees in Agriculture of Slavonia and Baranja has requested an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, warning of street demonstrations if their concerns are ignored.

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Everything has gone up by 200, 300 percent, only our labor has remained at zero.

"Everything has gone up by 200, 300 percent, only our labor has remained at zero," said Syndicate President Duško Pavlik at a press conference. He stated that the minimum purchase price for grains should be between 220 and 250 euros per ton to allow farmers to break even. Pavlik expressed deep disappointment with the current situation, noting that Croatian farmers have seen no progress in 30 years since the Croatian War of Independence.

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We expect the Ministry to do its job, but apparently, it is not.

Pavlik specifically criticized Minister David Vlajčić, who is from the region and had previously supported farmer protests. "We expected the Ministry to do its job, but apparently, it is not," Pavlik said, expressing dismay that despite Vlajčić's regional ties, the ministry has been unresponsive for a year. He questioned why Croatian wheat is not sold at European prices, suggesting Croatia is not being treated as part of Europe.

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If it doesn't happen, farmers will take to the streets and start protests, blocking border crossings, bypasses, and other roads.

The farmers also highlighted the issue of food quality, with Pavlik stating, "We produce quality wheat that we export, but we eat irradiated wheat from Ukraine." The syndicate is awaiting a meeting with the Association of Producers and Buyers on Thursday to discuss potential solutions.

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We produce quality wheat that we export, but we eat irradiated wheat from Ukraine.