Neretva mandarin harvest begins under pressure from drought and pests

The annual harvest of one of Croatia’s best-known agricultural products has begun in the Neretva Valley, with producers expecting a smaller crop this year because of drought and high temperatures.

The 2026 harvest is expected to produce between 35,000 and 40,000 tonnes of mandarins, according to figures reported by Dnevnik Nova TV.

That would be below last year’s production.

Despite the lower quantity, producers say the quality of the fruit remains good, with favourable sugar and acidity levels.

The harvest has started even though some of the mandarins have not yet developed their characteristic orange colour.

Another major issue facing growers is the Mediterranean fruit fly, one of the most serious pests affecting citrus production in the region.

Around €1 million has been allocated for measures to combat the pest.

Among the measures is the use of the sterile insect technique, or SIT, which involves releasing sterile insects to reduce the reproductive capacity of the pest population.

The first sterile flies are expected to arrive within days, with implementation of the programme involving Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

The issue is particularly important for the Neretva Valley, where citrus production is a major part of the local agricultural economy.

Producers are also facing labour shortages during the harvest.

The reported purchase price this year is around €0.65 per kilogramme, approximately 10 cents higher than last year.

At Zagreb’s main market, meanwhile, domestic mandarins were being sold for around €2 per kilogramme, although retail prices vary between sellers and locations.

The harvest also comes amid continuing concerns about imported fruit and competition on the domestic market.

Producers interviewed by Dnevnik said they expected domestic mandarins to remain competitive because of their quality.

The Agriculture Ministry has also indicated that preparations are already being made for measures that could begin earlier next year, with the aim of addressing the pest problem more systematically.

The Neretva Valley is one of Croatia’s most important citrus-growing areas, and the mandarin harvest has become a regular feature of the country’s autumn agricultural calendar.

This year’s combination of weather conditions, labour availability and pest management will therefore be closely watched by growers and consumers.