ZAGREB, 9 March 2022 - Agriculture Minister Marija Vučković said on Wednesday the government would do all that was necessary to contribute to citizens' food security and that Croatia would have enough food, despite disrupted international commodity trends due to the war in Ukraine.
Responding to questions from the press after a cabinet session, she said the government was considering various models to ensure the necessary supplies.
"Croatia will also do everything that is necessary to enable farmers and fishermen to work", she said, adding that today the government adopted decisions to aid farmers and fishermen and to procure HRK 594.6 million worth of strategic commodities.
Asked what those commodities were, she said it was necessary to procure corn, wheat, pork and turkey meat, oil and milk.
Farmers did a good autumn sowing despite the difficulties they ae exposed to, she said, adding that preparations for the spring sowing are going well and that preparations are being made for the autumn sowing. "That's a guarantee that Croatia will have enough food."
However, it is necessary to take this seriously given that Ukraine and Russia export more than 25% of the world's wheat, almost 20% of corn and 50% of sunflower oil, the minister said.
Reporters asked her how much of that Croatia produced, how much it would need, and guarantees that what was produced would not be bought by others.
Vučković said last year's wheat balance was 930,000 tonnes, where more than 500,000 tonnes was exported and 210,000 spent.
"We need 150,000 tonnes until the next sowing, a smaller part is available on the market, but commodity stockpiles are being ensured", she said, adding that trade has been affected by supply disruptions.
Croatia is very active internationally, proposing many measures to the European Commission, she said, confident that some of them will be adopted.
At the closing of today's session, the government adopted a decision to replenish strategic wheat, corn and rye supplies.
For more on Croatia's food security, check out our lifestyle section.
