ZAGREB, 15 April, 2021 - Strawberry picking season has begun in the Vrgorac area in southern Croatia and the Vrgorac strawberry association told a news conference on Thursday that this year  600 tonnes of high quality strawberries can be expected from local fields.

Vrgorac high-quality strawberries will already be available at farmers' markets as of tomorrow the association's president Milan Franić said.

According to Franić, about 600 tonnes are expected from this year's yield which will bring in a revenue of HRK 12 million for producers in the Vrgorac area.

"We have good weather conditions and will produce a standard quality. The yield will be high and of good quality for almost all producers however 15 family farms affected by last year's floods in Kokorići will not have any yield this year because the floods destroyed their greenhouse and crops," said Franić.

He added the price of strawberries is HRK 25 (€3.3) per kilogram, which is far below their price in the European Union where their cost ranges from €7 to €10.

"We are happy however that Vrgorac strawberry farmers will generate a revenue of HRK 12 million for the HRK 5.6 million that they invested, which is good for Croatian circumstances. We will continue to invest in improving the quality of our strawberries of which 80% are produced in tunnel greenhouses which protect them from rain, hail and frost and guarantee they are produced without any pesticides" said Franić.

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In an attempt to promote some of the best products coming from their region, the Tourist Board of the town of Jastrebarsko has started a new spring-time event taking place in their town: a Strawberry and Sparkling Wine Festival, to be held for the first time next weekend, on May 11th and 12th in Jastrebarsko. 

Some of the best wines in Croatia are the sparkling wines made in the Plešivica region (we've written about them previously, and they've received numerous awards and medal in international competitions over the years. At the same time, it's almost impossible to spend any time in Zagreb in May and early June without realizing that region around Zagreb is a major hub of strawberry production, as numerous producers sell their scented red bites of sweetness all over the town, often under the brand "Strawberry Ring" (Jagodni Prsten; the reference to the fact that Zagreb County, where most strawberry producers are located, is basically a ring-like structure around the City of Zagreb).

And everyone knows that strawberries and sparkling wine go well together, if for no other reason because Edward from the Pretty Woman taught us so when he ordered the pair to their room back when he was trying to impress Vivian (and us!) with his bon vivant ways! So, celebrating the two together during the prime season for one of them, in a place where both are created - and not just made, but made in such a way to win awards! - really is a no-brainer. 

So, if you like strawberries and sparkling wine, on May 11th and 12th find some time to get to Jastrebarsko, where the event will take place in front of the Erdödy castle (in the park in the centre of the town). On the Saturday at 6 pm a workshop on sparkling wines, moderated by Ivo Kozarčanin will take place (number of attendees limited, apply for it at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you wish to attend), and on Sunday around 50 oldtimer cars will make their appearance at the park as well.

As for the winemakers, you won't be disappointed with those bringing their wines to the festival: Ivančić, Jagunić, Kolarić, Korak, Kurtalj, Kunović, Režek, Tomac and Šember. Numerous strawberry growers from the Jagodni prsten association will also be there, and in addition to strawberries themselves, there will be different types of the dessert made with strawberries. Don't miss this perfect combination!