First strawberries of the season arrive in Croatia – but prices raise eyebrows

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The first strawberries of the season have appeared on market stalls across Croatia – but shoppers are already noticing a big difference compared to last year: the price.

According to the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture’s market data for the 14th week of this year (early April), the average price of strawberries on Croatian markets was €8 per kilogram, Danica.hr writes.

That’s a 33% increase compared to the same period last year, when they cost €6.

In Zagreb, strawberries were being sold for up to €10 per kilo last week – a jump of 67% compared to last year’s maximum of €6.

Other cities saw a range of prices:

Varaždin: €8 per kilo (same as last year)
Sisak: €6 (lowest in Croatia)
Pula: €10
Osijek: €7

It’s important to note that these are imported strawberries, mostly from Spain, as the Croatian-grown varieties are not yet ripe.

The popular Podravina strawberries from Čukovec near Ludbreg are expected to arrive on the market in early May.

The highest prices in the country were reported in Split, where strawberries reached €11 per kilo last week – a 57% increase from the €7 maximum price this time last year.

At the market in the Plokite neighbourhood, they were even seen selling for €12 a kilo.

Not everyone is impressed.

“They’re terrible! Tastes like grass,” said one disappointed local shopper in Split, who bought a small batch just to try them.

“They have no flavour, and they’re imported from Spain. Sellers are cheeky – it’s like their strawberries are made of gold.”

With prices high and taste not quite up to scratch, many shoppers are waiting patiently for the arrival of sweet, local Croatian strawberries in the coming weeks, but again, at what price?.