Croatia’s old trades disappearing as number of businesses grows
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
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Old trades are dwindling
The number of small businesses in Croatia is on the rise. Last year, there was a 10% increase in newly registered businesses compared to the previous year, and since 2014, the overall number has grown by almost 60%.
The biggest increase has been in service-based businesses, with over 8,200 new registrations in 2023.
More and more people are opening hairdressing and beauty salons, as well as cleaning services. However, while some industries thrive, traditional crafts are slowly disappearing.
In Zagreb, a city of almost 800,000 people, only one hat maker remains. The number of goldsmiths has also declined significantly, dropping from 100 to just around 15, HRT reported.
Clothing and footwear repair shops are also becoming rare, with only two male tailors left in the capital.
Gordan Dvoravić, a furrier who followed in his father’s footsteps, told HRT that while his father could make a living from selling fur coats, things have changed.
“Today, I can only survive if I cover my costs and have enough left for basic living expenses. My children are not interested in continuing the business. My son even got his master’s certificate, but he has no interest. Who knows, maybe he will change his mind,” he says.
Tomislav Cerovečki is the last umbrella maker in Croatia. He handcrafts 2,000 unique umbrellas every year, paying attention to every last detail.
Despite tough times, he refuses to close his business.
“Never. This business is structured in a way that there is always something to do. In my 35 years of work, there have been times when no one walked into the shop for a month, but I love what I do. You keep making and storing, and then one day, everything changes,” says Cerovečki.
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Photo: Cerovečki Crafts)
To encourage young people to take up trades, the Zagreb Chamber of Crafts organises an annual fair where students can try out some of the 63 different professions.
“We have seen an increase in enrolments at vocational schools, with some even having to open new classes to meet demand,” says Antun Trojnar, president of the Zagreb Chamber of Crafts.
While the rise in new businesses is encouraging, the decline of traditional crafts highlights the changing landscape of Croatian entrepreneurship.