PHOTO: At the opening of the Croatian Prosciutto Days, Mesnica Žužić and Smjeli declared champions

The third national “Days of Croatian Prosciutto” were opened with the presentation of awards and recognitions to producers, held this year at the D-Resort hotel in Šibenik.

The event was inaugurated by Zdravko Barać, envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, accompanied by County Prefect Goran Pauk and Darko Markotić, president of the Cluster of Croatian Prosciutto. In his welcoming speech, Markotić stated that 350,000 prosciuttos are produced annually in Croatia, but that almost twice as many are imported. He also emphasized that production and quality are in constant growth, with a long-term goal of reaching a production of one million prosciuttos per year using domestic raw materials.

County Prefect Goran Pauk highlighted that prosciutto production, in addition to its traditional value, has exceptional economic significance. It is a product of high added value, with the potential for sales growth through tourism and employment of the local population in sensitive rural areas. Zdravko Barać, on behalf of the Croatian Agricultural Agency, presented government measures to producers aimed at promoting the development of quality standards and the promotion of agricultural products.

The champion of this year’s “Days of Croatian Prosciutto 2017” is Mesnica Žužić with Krčki prosciutto, the first Croatian product with a protection designation on the EU market. The prosciutto from the producer “Smjeli” from Dugopolje won the champion category among Drniš and Dalmatian prosciuttos.

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Gold medals were awarded to Pivac, Voštane, Mijukić Prom, Opskrba trade, Vajda, and Dujmović, while the company Pisinium won a bronze medal. The award for overall contribution to the development of prosciutto production was given to Zvonimir Marin, a pioneer of organized production in Drniš, who has been involved since 1974. He is one of the founders of the Drniš prosciutto factory and the author of the brand “Drniški pršut”, and one of the key figures in making Drniš the leading center of prosciutto production in the former state.

The Days of Croatian Prosciutto last until Saturday, are open to the public, and admission is free.