The export of rakia is growing: With EU membership, the number of manufacturers of strong alcoholic beverages reaches 20,000

Intensifying the production of different sorts of fruit rakia and the stimulation of its export was the direct cause of the foreign currency inflow during the first nine months of the 2015 (4.7 million USD, in comparison with 2.62 import value, which makes the positive difference of somewhat more than million dollars).

“More than ten years ago, fruit rakia production coming from the small manufacturers of strong alcoholic beverages was characterized by non-standard procedures of uneven beverages’ quality and intensity, as well as the presence of the grey economy in that area”, says Žaklina Jurišić, Assistant Director of the Agriculture, Food Processing Industry and Forestry Sector of the CCE.

The excise tax on rakia is calculated depending on the volume of the registered boiler, as an annual flat fee (lump sum) of 100 HRK, or 200 HRK for the boiler larger than 100 Liters. The amount of the annual fee includes a non-taxable amount of strong beverages of 20L of pure alcohol per household, which includes 50L of such beverages of 40% alcohol (16 gradi). If larger quantity is manufactured, full amount is additionally calculated and paid, where the excise duty is 53 HRK per one liter of pure alcohol.

“When it comes about the strengthening competitiveness of this sector, one of the key procedures is the product name and origin protection. So far, these are Hrvatska loza, Hrvatska stara šljivovica, Slavonska šljivovica, Hrvatski pelinkovac, Zadarski maraschino and Hrvatska travarica, but we thinks there are still many other products to be protected in such a way. We must cherish our tradition and the authenticity of our products,” says Jurišić.