€2.2 m Slavonian Ham House to be built in Stari Mikanovci

STARI MIKANOVCI, 25 March (Hina) – Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries David Vlajčić on Monday signed a contract for the construction of the Slavonian Ham House in Stari Mikanovci, near Vinkovci.

The project will receive €2.2 million, with €900,000 coming from the Vinkovci ITI mechanism for equipment, Vlajčić said.

It is expected to create 10 new jobs and support the development of agriculture and pig farming in the region.

Vlajčić noted that the ham house will serve 3,500 pig farmers in Vukovar-Srijem County, 3,000 in Brod-Posavina County, and 5,500 in Osijek-Baranja County.

Vukovar-Srijem County Prefect Ivan Bosančić said the project, to be implemented in partnership with the local livestock association Utvaj and registered producers, aims to revitalise pig farming and promote high-quality domestic products like Slavonian ham.

Stari Mikanovci Mayor Mario Milinković highlighted that pig farming and cured meat production are a local tradition.

The project, linked to the National Ham Festival (Nacionalna šunkijada), encourages family farms to produce traditional products and helps farmers return to pig production after African swine fever outbreaks. Construction is expected to start by the end of June.

How it will look (Photo: Općina Stari Mikanovci)

The facility will include a curing room for ham, a tasting area, a restaurant, and a 25-bed hostel, providing a foundation for both economic and tourism development in Stari Mikanovci.