In Croatia, the opening of the "Kalnik" fruit and vegetable processing facility in Varaždin, inaugurated this summer, marks a notable development in the nation's tomato production. The plant, constructed within a year, boasts the capacity to process over 40 thousand tons of tomatoes annually, aiming to bolster its supply by expanding cultivation areas to 520 hectares by 2025 and increasing partnerships with local producers. Currently, the facility processes approximately 30 thousand tons of tomatoes sourced from regions including Slavonia, Istria, Podravina, Medjumurje, and Herzegovina.
"Podravka" has taken significant strides in enhancing its agricultural footprint, producing 61 tons of tomatoes on 6,450 hectares of its land, in addition to collaborating with associations to yield another 340 tons on 23,000 hectares. This expansion has not only escalated the volume of tomato production in Croatia but also fortified the relationship between the corporation and its network of over 250 local farmers and associations, emphasizing the strategic role of domestic agriculture in Podravka's supply chain and its contribution to the community at large.
The initiative underscores a concerted effort to meet the processing demands of the new "Kalnik" facility, reflecting a broader commitment to the advancement of agricultural practices and the enhancement of local production capabilities. As Ivan Ostojić, a member of Podravka's Management Board, articulates, the focus is on providing robust support to farmers, thereby ensuring a stable and diversified production base for the future.
Source: Sloboden Pecat