Challenges and Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic and the European Green Plan on the Development of the Croatian Agricultural and Food Sector

The aim of the research is to identify challenges and obstacles to stronger and sustainable development of the Croatian agri-food sector in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the European Green Plan, and the purpose of this paper is to design cross-sectoral measures to simultaneously increase the contribution of this sector to the national product, agri-food self-sufficiency, food security and eco system protection. Primary data were collected by methods of analysis, comparison and classification, while the design of proposed measures is based on methods of synthesis and descriptive logical modeling. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has not been curbed, the associated effects and challenges for the national agri-food sector have been recognized, as has the need for strong change in this sector. The short-term danger of shortages of basic agri-food products and "food insecurity" must not be repeated if national food self-sustainability is strengthened, all branches of agricultural production are self-sufficient, especially those with trade deficits, and sufficient food supplies and security of supply are ensured. The added value to sufficient and quality agricultural raw materials will increase through profitable and controlled investments in processing plants primarily financed by EU funds. Agricultural subsidies should belinked to increased production, but also to the accelerated development of digitalisation and web commerce and adaptation to new trends in consumer eating habits – eg local origin and "short chains" of food distribution, nutritional quality, positive environmental impact, fast meals for preparation at home, etc. Food production will also increase through strengthening synergies between the food, tourism and catering sectors, especially through branding, marketing and protection of indigenous food products.These products will strengthen the export potential of domestic producers and to some extent neutralize the negative influences of foreign retail chains. Reforms of the agri-food sector will have to be implemented in the context of the new challenges associated with the European Green Agenda. In addition to the environmental benefits of the green transition, the plan will have a strong impact on agri-food policy as it requires decarbonisation of production, reduction of pesticide and fertilizer use, afforestation and biodiversity protection, but can also increase production costs, raise prices, reduce demand, and weaken production and "food security."