The role of agriculture in economy of middle and eastern Croatia

Croatian Republic is a land of rich and quality natural resources – highly fertile soils, favourable climate and abundance of water resources. Importance of agriculture is not only in its primary role to ensure food for population, but as well in preservation of rural space, ecological balance and keeping of traditional values. Apart from producing crops and livestock products for human consumption, agriculture participates in development of other industries whose products are needed in performance of agricultural activity, such as machinery industry and agricultural equipment, industry of mineral fertilizers, industry of reproductive material, construction industry and others. By using information’s from Central Bureau of Statistics about rural population, indicators of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the role of agriculture in economy of Middle and Eastern Croatia has been analyzed. In the analysis Croatian Republic has been classified in three NUTS 2 regions (Northwestern Croatia, Middle and Eastern (Pannonia) Croatia, and Adriatic Croatia). The share of agricultural production (in which hunting, forestry and fisheries are included) in Gross Value Added of Middle and Eastern Croatia is registering constant growth from 7,768 mill. of kunas in 2005 on 10,484 mill. in 2008 – increase of 25.91%, while in year 2009 decrease of 2,833 mill. kunas or 37.03% has been recorded. According to information’s of Central Bureau of Statistics number of employed in Middle and Eastern Croatia in period from 2008 till 2011 fell for 28.413 employees, while number of employees in agriculture, forestry and fisheries in same period fell for 1.030 employees. The share of employed in agriculture, fisheries and forestry in overall rate of employed grows and in 2008 amounts 5.64%. Considering the connection with supplementary activities, from producing agricultural inputs till traffic processing and marketing of agricultural products, the importance of agriculture in economy of Croatia is higher than listed shares showed.