Croatian olive oil tops EU as most expensive

Record olive harvest in Croatia last season but not all good news

Croatia’s olive oil has earned itself a pricey reputation, standing out as the most expensive in the European Union—and by quite a margin.

According to data from the European Commission, the average price for a kilogram of extra virgin olive oil in Croatia hit €14.13 in December.

That’s a whopping 136% above the EU average and an eye-watering 218% more than Portugal’s cheapest offering, as reported by Danica.hr.

Things eased up slightly in January this year, with the price dropping to €11.46 per litre. But even at that rate, it’s still 79% higher than the EU average and 162% more than Spain’s budget-friendly option.

For Croatians, it seems there’s no escaping the premium tag on their beloved olive oil.

Production hasn’t helped the situation either. Back in 2022, Croatia churned out just over 38,000 hectolitres of olive oil—a 30% drop from the year before. The olive harvest itself took a hit too, with around 30,000 tonnes produced in 2022, down 25% from the 40,000 tonnes the previous year.

Early estimates for 2023 paint an even grimmer picture. Croatia’s self-sufficiency in olive oil is thought to have slumped to roughly 40%, meaning the country had to import at least 60% of its yearly needs.

With production dipping and imports on the rise, it’s no wonder prices are sky-high.

Croatian olive oil might be a point of pride, but it’s one that comes with a steep cost—for both producers and consumers.