Croatia's well-preserved natural environment provides an excellent foundation for the production of diverse, safe, and high-quality food, giving the country a competitive advantage in agricultural production.

Zadar County encompasses a diverse landscape of islands, coastline, fertile plains, and mountainous areas, including the Ravni Kotari region, parts of Bukovica, the southern slopes of the Velebit mountain range, and Lika. The fertile plains of Ravni Kotari, together with the coastal belt, represent the county's most important agricultural area.

Within a relatively small geographic area, Zadar County benefits from three distinct climate zones: continental conditions in the inland plains, a Mediterranean climate along the coast, and mountainous conditions in the hinterland. This diversity enables the production of a wide range of agricultural products throughout the year. Combined with favourable soil conditions, a strategic geographic location, and excellent access to transport routes and markets, the county offers highly favourable conditions for agricultural production.

Agriculture has a long and distinguished tradition in Zadar County. The region is particularly recognised for olive cultivation and the production of premium-quality olive oil, vineyards and award-winning wines, early-season vegetable production, livestock farming, poultry production, and fisheries, including marine aquaculture.

Abundant natural resources including fertile agricultural land, favourable climatic conditions, irrigation potential, and an extensive, resource-rich maritime area together with a strong tourism sector that provides a substantial market for premium, traditional, and sustainably produced food, create outstanding opportunities for further investment and growth. These advantages position agriculture, fisheries, and related industries as key drivers of the sustainable economic development of Zadar County.

Agriculture in Zadar County offers a wide range of opportunities for both domestic and international investors, particularly in projects focused on innovation, sustainability, and value-added production.

Priority investment areas include:

• Olive cultivation and premium olive oil production
• Viticulture and wine production
• Fruit and vegetable cultivation
• Organic and sustainable agriculture
• Livestock farming and dairy production
• Fisheries and marine aquaculture
• Food processing and packaging
• Agri-food logistics and cold-chain infrastructure
• Agricultural technologies and precision farming
• Renewable energy solutions integrated into agricultural production
• Rural tourism and agritourism

Growing demand for authentic, locally produced food, together with increasing investment in sustainable agriculture and rural development, creates favourable conditions for long-term business growth.

Supported by European Union funding programmes, a stable institutional framework, and strong links between agriculture, tourism, and the food industry, Zadar County provides investors with an attractive environment for developing competitive and export-oriented agricultural businesses.

Agriculture remains one of the county's strategic economic sectors, offering substantial opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable development while contributing to the resilience and competitiveness of the regional economy.

According to the Register of Agricultural Holdings maintained by the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (APPRRR), approximately 8,000 agricultural holdings were registered in Zadar County in 2023. The sector is predominantly composed of family farms, which represent the dominant form of agricultural production in the region.

Structure of agricultural holdings:

• Family farms (OPGs): 7,300–7,500
• Subsistence farms (SOPGs): more than 700
• Companies: more than 100
• Craft businesses: more than 50
• Cooperatives: more than 20
• Other legal entities: 10

Agriculture in Zadar County is a traditionally strong sector characterised by a fragmented ownership structure, while offering significant potential for transformation towards higher value-added production and stronger integration with the tourism and agri-food value chains.

Source: Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (APPRRR), Register of Agricultural Holdings (2023); analysis by ZADRA NOVA.

The ARKOD system is Croatia's national register of agricultural land use and serves as the basis for administering and controlling direct payments under the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

ARKOD forms part of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) and is managed by the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (APPRRR).

As a geographic information system (GIS), ARKOD is continuously updated at the individual parcel level. Consequently, official data are not always published in standard county-level statistical tables but are primarily available as geospatial datasets and aggregated analyses.

Agricultural Land in Croatia (ARKOD)

• Total agricultural land registered in ARKOD: approximately 1.3 million hectares
• Number of registered ARKOD parcels: approximately 1.1–1.2 million
• Land use categories: arable land, permanent crops, meadows, and pastures.

Zadar County has approximately 65,000 hectares of agricultural land registered in the ARKOD system, comprising around 40,000 land parcels.

The county's agricultural landscape reflects a typical Mediterranean production model, characterised by extensive olive groves, vineyards, karst pastures, and fertile arable land in the Ravni Kotari region, providing favourable conditions for diversified and high-value agricultural production.

Agriculture is recognised as a strategic sector in the Republic of Croatia, contributing to sustainable economic development through its economic, environmental, and social roles. The Croatian Parliament adopts the country's strategic guidelines for agricultural development upon the proposal of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, while the Government is responsible for adopting the implementation measures.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is the central authority responsible for implementing national agricultural policy. Its responsibilities include regulating agricultural activities, managing agricultural land, implementing rural development measures, coordinating Croatia's agricultural policy with the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and performing other regulatory and administrative functions within the sector.

Given the broad scope of responsibilities, several specialised public institutions support the Ministry in implementing agricultural policies and programmes, including:

• the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture
• the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH)
• the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (APPRRR).

At the regional level, agricultural policy and development are coordinated by the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Management, Rural and Island Development of Zadar County.

The Department is responsible for administrative and professional activities relating to agriculture, forestry, hunting, fisheries, water management, and rural development. Its responsibilities also include supporting agricultural holdings, promoting rural development, coordinating strategic initiatives, and preparing analytical and development programmes aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector.

Additional institutional support for agriculture and rural development in Zadar County is provided by:

• AGRRA – Rural Development Agency of Zadar County
• ZADRA NOVA – Zadar County Development Agency
• Local Action Groups (LAGs).

Agricultural activities in Croatia are governed by a comprehensive legal framework aligned with European Union legislation. The principal legal acts include:

• Agriculture Act
• Agricultural Land Act
• Family Farm Act
• Ordinance on the Register of Family Farms
• Ordinance on the Register of Farmers
• Ordinance on the Implementation of Direct Agricultural Support and IACS Rural Development Measures (2026)
• Ordinance on the Agricultural Land Use Register (ARKOD)
• Cross-Compliance Ordinance
• Ordinance on the Control System for Organic Agriculture

This regulatory framework provides legal certainty, transparent administrative procedures, and compliance with European standards, creating a stable and predictable environment for agricultural investment.

The primary objective of Croatia's direct agricultural support system is to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of active farmers. Financial support is available for agricultural production, crop cultivation, livestock farming, and the maintenance of agricultural land in good agricultural and environmental condition.

The direct support system consists of:

• Area-based direct payments
• Coupled support schemes for livestock and crop production

To qualify for direct support, farmers must be registered in the Register of Agricultural Holdings maintained by the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (APPRRR). Agricultural land must be registered in the ARKOD land parcel identification system, while livestock must be recorded in the Central Register of Domestic Animals.

Applicants are required to comply with the eligibility criteria set out in the annual regulations governing direct payments and rural development measures. They must also meet the cross-compliance requirements, which include standards for good agricultural and environmental conditions, sustainable land management, and animal welfare.

Croatia's agricultural support system is fully aligned with the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), providing investors and agricultural producers with access to a stable and predictable framework of financial incentives.

Local Action Groups (LAGs) play an important role in implementing rural development policies through the LEADER approach under the Common Agricultural Policy. They prepare and implement local development strategies, manage project selection procedures, and allocate financial support for community-led initiatives.

LAGs contribute to sustainable rural development by:

• bringing together public, private, and civil society stakeholders;
• encouraging cooperation through multi-sector development projects;
• strengthening dialogue and partnerships among local communities;
• supporting innovation, knowledge transfer, and the adaptation of rural economies to changing market conditions.

The governance structure of each LAG ensures balanced representation of public authorities, businesses, civil society organisations, and local communities in accordance with EU LEADER principles.

Local Action Groups in Zadar County

Source: Croatian Rural Development Network; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

A total of 148 agricultural cooperatives are registered in Zadar County, of which 43 are currently active.

Some of the most prominent include:

• PZ Maslina i Vino (Polača) – olive groves, vineyards, and fig orchards covering approximately 40 hectares.
• PZ Maraška (Tinj) – a cooperative of 15 family farms producing around 100 tonnes of Marasca cherries annually.
• PZ Agro-Lišane (Lišane Ostrovičke) – approximately 238 hectares devoted primarily to arable crop production.
• PZ Krupa (Galovac) – specialised in goat and donkey farming.
• Lovinac Veterans' Cooperative – focused on grape and almond cultivation.

The county is home to several established agribusinesses operating across crop production, viticulture, food processing, and dairy production, including:

• Vrana Ltd. – approximately 850 hectares of agricultural land, including vineyards, open-field vegetable production, arable farming, and greenhouse cultivation.
• PIK Vinkovci Plc. (Sveti Filip i Jakov) – vegetable production on approximately 200 hectares.
• Maraska Ltd. – producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, with extensive Marasca cherry plantations.
• Badel 1862 Plc. – Benkovac Winery – one of Croatia's leading wine producers, managing approximately 250 hectares of agricultural land and more than 250 hectares of vineyards in Korlat, Dubrava (Miranje), and Pristeg.
• Paška Sirana – annual cheese production of approximately 700–800 tonnes.
• Gligora Dairy – internationally recognised producer of Pag cheese, with annual production of approximately 450 tonnes.

Zadar County offers a unique combination of natural resources, favourable climatic conditions, strategic location, and market opportunities, making it one of Croatia's most attractive regions for agricultural investment.

Key competitive advantages include:

• Well-preserved natural environment and high environmental quality
• Diverse landscapes, ranging from fertile plains and Mediterranean coastline to islands and mountainous areas
• Long-standing agricultural traditions and internationally recognised local products
• Excellent conditions for the production of high-value agricultural products, including olive oil, wine, fruit, vegetables, livestock products, and aquaculture
• Favourable climate supporting year-round agricultural production
• Availability of agricultural land and irrigation potential
• Strong tourism sector creating significant demand for premium local food products
• Well-developed transport and telecommunications infrastructure
• Strategic geographic location with excellent access to domestic and European markets
• Competitive labour costs
• Stable macroeconomic environment as a member of the European Union and the euro area
• Strong commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation
• Consumer preference for locally produced, high-quality food
• Experienced local and regional institutions supporting rural development and investment projects.

Agriculture in Zadar County offers a wide range of opportunities for both domestic and international investors, particularly in projects focused on innovation, sustainability, and value-added production.

Priority investment areas include:

• Olive cultivation and premium olive oil production
• Viticulture and wine production
• Fruit and vegetable cultivation
• Organic and sustainable agriculture
• Livestock farming and dairy production
• Fisheries and marine aquaculture
• Food processing and packaging
• Agri-food logistics and cold-chain infrastructure
• Agricultural technologies and precision farming
• Renewable energy solutions integrated into agricultural production
• Rural tourism and agritourism

Growing demand for authentic, locally produced food, together with increasing investment in sustainable agriculture and rural development, creates favourable conditions for long-term business growth.

Supported by European Union funding programmes, a stable institutional framework, and strong links between agriculture, tourism, and the food industry, Zadar County provides investors with an attractive environment for developing competitive and export-oriented agricultural businesses.

Agriculture remains one of the county's strategic economic sectors, offering substantial opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable development while contributing to the resilience and competitiveness of the regional economy.