Pork cheaper than tomatoes in Croatia amid market turmoil

Consumers in Croatia are currently enjoying unusually low prices for pork, with cuts like loin and shoulder selling for less than common vegetables such as tomatoes and chard. Fresh pork loin without bone is priced at 2.89 euros per kilogram, while pork shoulder is even cheaper at 2.45 euros. Veal neck and shoulder are also affordably priced, costing less than 6 euros per kilogram, and beef ribs and breast are around 8 euros, comparable to the price of green beans or garlic at local markets.

While shoppers are pleased with the decrease in prices for some products, experts and domestic producers are sounding the alarm. They argue that these low prices, largely influenced by imports and market disruptions, are severely damaging the Croatian livestock sector. Branko Bobetić, a representative of domestic producers, described the market as "disorganized" with "technological and market disturbances," adding that intense competition among retail chains creates immense pressure on suppliers.

The situation underscores a concerning trend where imported products are favored over domestic ones, despite the potential negative impact on local agriculture. The article suggests that even the peak tourist season is not enough to bolster the struggling domestic livestock industry. This price discrepancy raises questions about the sustainability of local farming and the overall health of Croatia's agricultural market, where consumers benefit in the short term at the potential long-term expense of domestic producers.

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We have disorganized markets, technological and market disturbances, and there is 'cannibalism' among retail chains, with enormous pressure on suppliers.