Oyster farmers in Croatia are worried this season's harvest will go to waste as the outbreak of the new coronavirus means tourists, the main consumers of the delicacy on the Dalmatian coast, stay away.
Post-lockdown luck for Croatian oyster farmers?
Post-lockdown luck for oyster farmers?
Location: Brijesta, Croatia As the government begins to ease restrictions oyster farmers are hoping for a surge in demand when restaurants reopen The Mali Ston oyster farms produce around two million oysters a year But the industry has taken a big hit with restaurants also struggling (SOUNDBITE) (Croatian) BOTA SARE RESTAURANT MANAGER, TOMISLAV SARE, SAYING: "For now, in the first month after opening, I expect a decrease in income of 90 to 95%.
After that it is hard to predict because no one knows if the border will open, when it will open, as well as the flights, like many other restaurants on the coast we depend on tourists." Farmers hope tourists come before the summer heat as oysters often perish in late summer's warmer and saltier water