A litre of ‘Šoltansko’ olive oil goes for $100 on the US market
When you’re looking to get your hands on a coveted product of any sort, there’s a good chance you’ll be placed on a waiting list. The sole fact that the demand exceeds the supply by a mile speaks volumes about the popularity of a certain item, best described by an example coming from Šolta island.
Since the top-quality olive oil from Šolta was given geographical origin protection status by the EU, foreign markets have apparently gone crazy about the liquid gold produced on the idyllic Croatian island. At the moment, US customers are paying $45,7 for half a litre of ‘Šoltansko’ olive oil, while a full litre comes at a price of $100, reports Maslina on February 15, 2018.
Hard-working island residents are thus making around 240 kuna for each of their products. Before the renowned olive oil started selling on the international market, producers were making 80 kuna per litre.
There are around 500.000 olive trees currently planted on Šolta, and many parties are continuing to invest in this popular branch of agriculture. Foreigners are buying land and planting olive groves and vineyards which are thriving owing to the favourable climate.
While many Croatian islands have been recording a decline in population, Šolta remains a desirable destination even to the people living on the mainland. A growing number of workers commute from the coast to Šolta on a daily basis; for an example, we just have to look to Maslinica, a fishermen’s town on the west coast of the island. In winter months, Maslinica has 90 inhabitants – and 170 employed workers.
Šolta’s population of 2.173 is looking forward to future investments in the local infrastructure, including the upcoming opening of the first shopping mall in Grohote. The new venue will allow the residents to present the growing number of tourists with their top-quality products, 38 of which are currently part of the Croatian Island Product label (HOP).
