Mandarine Harvest in Opuzen

In the Neretva Valley, mandarins are part of the landscape, economy and everyday life of the people living along the river. Opuzen, a small town surrounded by fertile Neretva fields and citrus groves, holds a special place in this story. In autumn, when the green color of the valley begins to intertwine with bright orange fruits, mandarins become one of the most recognizable symbols of this region.

On 1,220 hectares and 995 farms in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, mandarins represent the foundation of fruit production and have a special place in the agricultural and economic structure of the Neretva Valley. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warns of the seriousness of timely and continuous implementation of measures to combat the Mediterranean fruit fly as the most significant pest of fruit crops.

"Based on the analysis of the Agro-Mediterranean Faculty in Split, we have taken the position that the problem of combating the Mediterranean fruit fly must be solved with a comprehensive approach and a combination of available methods, and we attach particular importance to this because almost all of our mandarin production is concentrated in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. The county, with local government units and the expert support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and HAPIH, will take responsibility for the implementation of the selected measures, while a decision will be prepared in a timely manner for next year so that the implementation of all the planned methods can start as early as January," said Minister Vlajčić.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 46,650 tons of mandarins were produced in the Republic of Croatia in 2025. Last year, according to AGRI DATA (EU), Croatia accounted for 4.4% of mandarin production in the European Union. A year earlier, in 2024, the Republic of Croatia's self-sufficiency in mandarin production was 97%, and mandarin consumption was almost 8 kg per capita. "Nobody is afraid of import competition, but Croatian products must be clearly labeled so that consumers know what they are buying and from whom. By choosing Croatian producers, we directly support our agriculture," said Minister Vlajčić. After marking the start of the harvest, Minister Vlajčić visited the Arivera Fruit Purchase Center in Opuzen, where he was informed about the current state of mandarin purchase and marketing. The start of the mandarin harvest was attended by State Secretary Tugomir Majdak, Director of the Directorate for Agricultural Land, Plant Production and Market Sandra Zokić, Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County Blaž Pezo with his associates, mayors and heads of the Neretva Valley.

Mandarin cultivation in the Neretva Valley developed during the 20th century, and the Mediterranean climate, abundant water and fertile soil proved ideal for their cultivation. Today, Neretva mandarins are an indispensable part of the local agricultural story, and their taste is associated with warm days, the scent of the south and a specific landscape in which orchards alternate with canals, rivers and wetlands. The speciality of the mandarin from this region is not only in its sweetness. When the season is in full swing, the fruits are picked by hand and often arrive on the table very soon after harvest. They are juicy, aromatic and easy to peel, so it is difficult not to associate them with autumn days in the Neretva. This simplicity is one of their greatest gastronomic values ​​– the mandarin is delicious on its own, without the need for complicated preparation.

However, the Neretva mandarin has long since transcended the boundaries of the orchard. In local gastronomy, it is used for juices, jams, cakes and desserts, but also as an interesting addition to savory dishes. Its juice and zest can enrich sauces, marinades and salads, while its sweet and sour taste goes well with fish, meat and various cheeses. Thus, the mandarin shows how a seemingly simple fruit can have a wide gastronomic range. Autumn is therefore a particularly interesting time to visit Opuzen and the Neretva Valley. Then you can experience the landscape at its most characteristic, when orchards fill the markets and local stands, and mandarins become part of everyday conversations and family tables. It is best to taste them fresh, buy directly from local producers when possible and let the taste also say something about the place they come from.