Nenad Klepač (Vindija): Vindija is Building the Future Through Innovation and Supporting Croatia’s Entry into the OECD

The food industry is currently at a significant crossroads, and in such circumstances, the ability to adapt quickly and decisively separates those who will remain on the margins from those who will shape the future. At Vindija, we understand well that the new expectations of consumers, regulators, and society as a whole are not a passing trend, but a permanent change that requires clear, timely, and strong responses.

Our path is clearly defined through three pillars that form the backbone of our long-term strategy and competitive strength: sustainability as the foundation of resilience, innovation as the driver of growth, and investment in people as the most valuable capital without which there can be no excellence. Over the past two years, we have directed significant resources towards modernizing our production capacities, accelerating the digitalization of processes, and implementing environmentally advanced solutions that raise the bar across the industry.

The strongest proof of this strategy is the new Koke hatchery; a capital investment of 20 million euros, fully financed from our own resources, which, with a capacity of 45 million chicks per year, sets standards and ranks among the most modern facilities in this part of Europe. This is not just an infrastructural leap; it is a strategic project that brings greater efficiency, complete traceability, and the highest level of product safety, while simultaneously significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimizing energy resource consumption.

Alongside technological advancements, our greatest strength remains our people; over 4,200 employees whose knowledge, dedication, and energy build Vindija every day. We equally invest in portfolio innovations, developing products aligned with the latest food trends, thereby confirming that new rules and challenges are not obstacles for us, but opportunities to further strengthen our position as a leader in quality, sustainability, and competitiveness in the domestic and regional food industry. The stability of the political and institutional framework is always important for the economy, and in our case, it enables longer-term planning and safer implementation of capital investments.

A multi-year period without elections means a reduction in political uncertainty, which contributes to the predictability of the business environment. We see Croatia’s entry into the OECD as an important milestone for the entire economy, and for Vindija, it would carry additional weight. OECD standards mean even greater transparency, stricter regulation, and an emphasis on sustainability, which is not new for us as we have already aligned our operations with European and international practices.

However, membership would provide us with strong reputational capital – a signal to investors, partners, and consumers that Croatia, along with Vindija, operates according to the highest global standards, which would open doors to easier exports, more favorable financing, and intensified cooperation with global partners. We still face numerous challenges, from climate change to disruptions in supply chains, but we believe that unity, innovation, and responsibility towards the community and the environment remain our greatest strength. For this reason, the stability of the political framework and the prospect of OECD membership are not just macroeconomic topics for us, but very concrete prerequisites for continuing to build a sustainable and competitive system that meets the needs of today’s market and future generations.