Global warming lets Croatian farmer grow tropical fruit

As climate change tightens its grip on the Mediterranean, Croatia is facing hotter summers, longer droughts, and declining yields of traditional crops like apples — expected to drop by 27% this year alone. But while many farmers are struggling to adapt, one grower in the village of Donja Bistra is seeing opportunity within chaos.

Ivan Sulog has spent the last 25 years experimenting with fruit once unthinkable in continental Croatia. Today, he grows more than 50 tropical and subtropical varieties, including mango, papaya, lucuma and the Indian banana — a North American fruit with a rich, creamy flavor that thrives without pesticides.

"The Sahara has crossed into Europe," Sulog says.