First Cherries Arrive at Markets, Buyers Shocked by Prices: 'Are They Made of Gold?!'

The arrival of the first cherries in Zagreb's markets has been met with dismay rather than delight, as shoppers grapple with prices that have reached astonishing heights. Imported cherries, predominantly from Spain, are commanding prices of up to 20 euros per kilogram, leading to widespread disbelief and frustration among consumers.

"Are they made of gold?" exclaimed one shopper, Davor, echoing the sentiment of many who find these prices exorbitant and disconnected from their purchasing power. Another shopper, Ela, questioned the reality of such pricing and suggested that scrutiny should extend to those who can afford them.

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Are they made of gold?!

While sellers attribute the high cost to the early season and the fruit's origin, local growers are preparing to offer domestic cherries later in May. Producer Robert Hadžić, who has decades of experience, plans to sell his cherries between seven and eight euros per kilogram, denouncing the current prices as speculative and unrealistic, even when compared to prices in Germany or Austria.

Adding to the challenges, a severe storm in March damaged some local orchards. However, the outlook for the upcoming domestic harvest is promising, with expectations that the influx of local cherries will eventually stabilize prices. For consumers seeking to distinguish local from imported fruit, Hadžić advises checking the freshness of the stem as an indicator of how recently the cherries were picked and transported.

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This is speculation.