Given Croatia's well-documented enthusiasm for natural products, locally sourced, not to mention its bounteous supply of Central-European and Mediterranean crops, it’s not surprising that an interest in organic agriculture has taken off in a major way. It’s another natural expression of the country’s taste for the good life, and the idea that the gifts of nature are to be enjoyed, preferably in as unhurried a way as possible.
Fresh produce
There has been a major boom in boutique agricultural production in recent years, with many Croatian shops and markets sourcing their supplies from family-run farms known as OPGs (literally ‘family agricultural business’) rather than industrial-scale mega-firms. An increasing number of OPGs have identified ecological farming methods as one of the main things that makes their products special – and although by no means all of them have gone fully organic – the idea of growing things without chemical fertilisers, pesticides or other industrially made additives has become increasingly present in a rapidly developing nutritional culture.
OPGs also deliver to the door or to certain pick-up points, underpinning a growing trend for farm-to-table produce, and not only in Croatian homes, but restaurants, too. And many an enjoyable family day out is now spent at an OPG, people picking their own fruit and vegetables and paying in proportion for their healthy, organic booty.
Closer to home, an increasing number of big-city supermarkets have clearly labelled selections of organic fruit and veg, although the best place to source them is at markets, such as the Dolac behind Zagreb’s main square and the Pazar in Split, between the Roman palace walls and the bus station.
Cosmetics & cotton
Croatia also now has a number of designated eco chains where organic cosmetics and cleaning items line the shelves alongside fresh produce. One of the chief growth areas of organic production in Croatia, in fact, has been in the sphere of cosmetics, perfumes and wellness products. It’s here that many of the leading characteristics of Croatian creativity come together – a commitment to artisanal production, a renewed appreciation for the handmade, an enthusiasm for sourcing locally and building local supply networks, and an eagerness to experiment in the search for healing solutions which are soundly grounded in mother nature.
Above all, the organic cosmetics boom is rooted in one of Croatia’s most important sources of natural bounty: the profusion of Mediterranean herbs, fruits and aromas – lavender, lemon, orange, aloe vera, immortelle among them – that has made the country’s Adriatic coast a recognised centre of wellbeing and rejuvenation.
Many local cosmetics firms have therefore built their reputations on the search for local remedies made from local ingredients.
Another area for organic development is a more surprising one: cotton. Among the international garment manufacturers there’s been a huge increase in the use of organic cotton which, quite apart from the environmental advantages of its cultivation, is also said to be far softer on the skin than the chemically-enhanced versions of the crop. Cotton is not a domestic Croatian product, although there is a growing number of local producers who are using it in their lines.
Drinking organically
Given the emphasis on artisanal production that has overtaken the Croatian wine industry in the last two decades, it is no surprise that here too a good deal of toil and trouble has been invested in the development of organic options, an increasing number of which can be picked up in specialist wine shops across the nation.
Of course, no guide to living the organic life in Croatia would be complete without mention of coffee, the essential social ballast that keeps life, soul and community on an even keel. Here as elsewhere a renewed emphasis on quality (specific-origin beans sourced from ethical producers) has doubled-up popular perceptions of what makes a good brew – and the top local importers and roasters have responded by seeking out the best organic options.
This article is sponsored by The Croatian National Tourist Board: 'Croatia Full of Life'.
