Croatian producers in Istria brace for a disappointing harvest

Olive oil producers in Istria, Croatia’s most prominent olive oil-producing region, are preparing for a poor harvest in the 2021/22 crop year. According to International Olive Council data, Croatia produced 4,600 tons of olive oil in the 2020/21 crop year, the highest total since 2016/17. However, producers on the northwestern peninsula have told local media that they expect up to an 80 percent decrease in production this year, with some deciding not to harvest at all. A late cold spell that led to snow in early April, when the olive trees were blooming, followed by prolonged drought in the summer months are among the reasons for the reduced harvest. Additionally, many producers are entering an off-year. Klaudio Ipša is among the affected olive growers. He told news magazine Glas Istre that this year is shaping up to be the worst harvest of the past 20 years. He estimated that he will only harvest 30 to 40 percent of what he did last year. “I guess the reason for that is partly ...