The Croatian government has decided on a package of compensatory aid totalling €1.8 million. This measure is primarily aimed at farmers who own land in depopulated areas, with the aim of supplementing their income loss and ensuring the stability of their production. The aim of these incentives is to mitigate negative demographic trends and maintain agricultural production in less attractive areas.
The right to access this aid is limited to farmers registered in the official Register of Agricultural Holdings. The key condition for eligibility is that beneficiaries must have already received support through measure 13 in the previous year, 2022. This measure involves payments for areas with natural constraints, which is a key criterion in assessing the right to financial compensation.
In addition to the general scheme, the government has approved specific support for the promotion and protection of local products. A €100,000 programme has been adopted for producer groups to draw up or amend specifications for protected labels. In addition to geographical indications, this covers traditional specialities. The aim of this move is to encourage more producers to participate in the certification system, thereby further enhancing the market visibility of Croatian agricultural products.
The financial structure for this second category is such that the state covers 80 per cent of eligible costs. The maximum level of support for the production of a specification is €20,000, while €5,000 is provided for the amendment of an existing specification. These measures are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Croatian agriculture, while simultaneously ensuring the social security of producers in vulnerable areas.
