Zvjezdana Blažić
Episode · #491
RITAM POSLA Zvjezdana Blažić
Guest Zvjezdana BlažićHosted by Lidija KiseljakMay 3, 2026
Zvjezdana Blažić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
The global food system is in a state of constant flux, caught between the lingering effects of a pandemic, geopolitical conflict, and extreme weather events. Zvjezdana Blažić, a seasoned consultant in the food and agricultural industry, offers a clear-eyed perspective on the complex forces driving food prices and shaping agricultural policy. She navigates the intricate connections between global supply chains, local harvests, and the financial pressures on farmers, revealing how these factors ripple through economies and societies. This conversation will make you rethink where your food comes from, and the hidden costs behind its price tag.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
While overall food prices are up 20% this year, grains have surged over 55% and eggs over 40%, while fruit prices have barely moved. This uneven inflation means the cost of living crisis doesn't hit all consumers equally; it disproportionately impacts those whose baskets are heavily weighted toward staple goods.
02
Despite Croatia being self-sufficient in wheat, corn, and sunflower, its domestic food prices are still dictated by global commodity exchanges. Local production buffers against scarcity but not against price volatility; even a country producing enough for itself cannot insulate its consumers from the global market.
03
Farmers' input costs have risen dramatically this year, with fertilizers up two and a half times and energy over 70%, far exceeding the increase in the prices they receive for their produce. This disconnect between rising input costs and lagging output prices suggests that consumer price increases don't automatically translate to greater profitability for producers; often, they reflect a squeeze on the agricultural sector itself.
04
In some sectors of Croatian agriculture, EU subsidies now account for nearly 50% of farmers' total income. While intended as support, such a high reliance on direct payments indicates that parts of the agricultural sector may not be competitive or productive enough to sustain themselves independently, raising questions about long-term economic viability.
05
Poor harvests in North America and the EU this year are raising concerns at the FAO and regional institutions about global food supply. Even if Europe remains secure, the inability of the poorest countries in regions like the Eastern Mediterranean and Far East to feed their populations will lead to instability and migration, demonstrating that food security is a global, not just a regional, concern.