New fish, old techniques: Croatia’s salting and smoking tradition revived

R.Z. Adria products, smoking and salting.
©Matea Lovrić

The Adria fishing cooperative in Tribunj has turned the Croatian tradition of smoked fish and salted sardines into a booming business that has breathed new life into the local economy. With support from EU funding, Adria has adapted the traditional techniques to lesser-known fish species with considerable success.

Adria’s journey began with the realisation of the untapped potential of fish species that were not part of the local tradition. Combining these lesser-known varieties with the traditional preservation techniques of smoking and salting, the cooperative created products that honoured local traditions, reduced waste and tasted delicious.

“For us, reviving traditional techniques like salting and smoking has opened new markets. By blending heritage methods with modern standards, we’ve created products like smoked fish and sardines that local restaurants now proudly serve,” said Matea Lovrić, the cooperative manager of the Adria cooperative.

The project has not only enhanced the market value of local fish but also enriched the region's culinary offerings.

Matea Lovrić and Ivana Bračanov of R.Z. Adria at the Sea that feeds us event.
©Matea Lovrić

Economic growth and empowerment

What began as a small trial soon spread beyond the kitchen and gave a real boost to the local economy. Several new jobs were created, including a full-time role in fish processing, while increased demand for locally caught fish helped increase the income of small-scale fishers. One tradition that the cooperative has been happy to break, however, is the male domination of the local fishing sector. Through targeted training and skills development, Adria has helped women to find job opportunities in a growing and increasingly vital part of the local economy.

Meanwhile, Adria’s collaboration with Tribunj’s local fisheries action group FLAG Galeb has helped tie the cooperative into the wider community and allowed Adria to benefit from EU funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The funding enabled the cooperative to invest in essential processing equipment, hire qualified staff, and market its new products.

Balancing tradition with technology

But the path to success was not without its challenges. Navigating the regulatory and administrative requirements for modern food safety and certification proved complex, requiring significant investment in equipment and training. Balancing traditional fish processing methods with modern technology was another obstacle. The cooperative addressed this by investing in equipment, such as a custom-built smoking chamber, which maintained artisanal quality while meeting safety regulations. The cooperative also worked to introduce their new products to a competitive market by engaging in promotional activities and forming partnerships with local restaurants, successfully positioning their products as unique, local, and sustainable offerings.

Encouraged by steady orders from local restaurants, Adria cooperative plans to expand production to respond to the growing demand. Plans also include exploring new markets and developing the product range, while at the same time remaining very much a cornerstone of the local community, which will benefit from the expansion of the business through new employment opportunities.