Cattle farmers lose HRK 4.75 per kilo per head due to the corona crisis, the Zagreb-based Vecernji List (VL) reported on Saturday.

Findings of a study, conducted by Osijek researchers Krunoslav Zmaic and David Kranjac, show that the corona crisis has caused disruption on the market.

Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, fodder made up about 50% of the material costs in businesses led by cattle farmers. However, cereals and oil crops’ price hikes have raised this percentage to 80%.

The average price of soybean skyrocketed 50.49% this year in comparison to their five-year average, and maize prices increased roughly 36%, whereas fodder barley prices went up 19.5%.

For instance, milk producers lose HRK 1.02 per litre due to the crisis.

The researchers warn against excessive imports of meat and milk at dumping prices, and they propose stringent restrictions on this import.

They also suggest short-term state support schemes.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)