June 13, 2005

USDA: Croatia's fish production falls
 

Despite Croatia's lengthy Adriatic coastline, the country struggles to catch and produce seafood. In addition, Croatia lacks adequate fishing vessels, as well as the infrastructure to transport and process seafood. From 2000 to 2004, Croatia's seafood imports increased from US$33 million to US$71 million, a 114 percent increase. The trend is expected to continue. 

Croatia also imports US$1-2 million of seafood from the United States annually. Demand for seafood is increasing, as Croatia becomes a more popular tourist destination, making it an excellent market for U.S. seafood exports.

Currently, Croatia produces vast quantities of a limited number of species, thus resulting in lower prices for these fish species. It is planning to introduce new indigenous fish and shellfish species, and modernize its existing fishing and processing facilities. Several years ago, Croatia also started developing tuna farming for exports to the Japanese market.

In 2003, the registered catch of sea-fish and other marine organisms in Croatia was 26,181 MT. Small blue fish dominates (73%) the catch and supplies most of the capacity of the fish processing plants. Croatia has 10 fish processing plants that manufacture some 15,000 tons of products annually (with 70% being canned sardines).

Tuna fish accounted for more than 74% of total fish exports in 2003. Most of Croatia's fresh and chilled fish exports go to Japan (mostly bred tuna fish) and Italy.

For the full USDA report, click here.