On 13 June 2025, at the Vina Belje Winery pavilion on the slopes of Banovo Brdo in Baranja, an Agreement on Mutual Cooperation in the Organisation of the 71st World Ploughing Contest in the Republic of Croatia in 2026 was signed. The ceremony brought together some of the most prominent institutions in Croatian public and economic life.
The Agreement was signed by: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić; the Croatian Association for the Organisation of Ploughing Competitions (HUONO), represented by its president Morana Tomičić; the Osijek-Baranja County, represented by County Prefect Nataša Tramišak, mag.iur.; Belje plus d.o.o., represented by Board President Damir Leko and Board Member Marko Gladović; and the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, represented by Rector prof. dr. sc. Drago Šubarić. The Agreement establishes the mutual cooperation of all signatories, along with the obligations and responsibilities of each party in the preparation and delivery of this prestigious international event.
Mitrovac Farm in Grabovac – Competition Venue
The prestigious contest will take place on 4 and 5 September 2026 at Mitrovac Farm in Grabovac, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for 3 September 2026. Osijek-Baranja County encompasses more than 212,000 hectares of agricultural land, making it an excellent and ideal location for this type of competition, County Prefect Tramišak emphasised.
Over 25 Countries, Thousands of Visitors
At least 25 participating nations are expected from across the European Union and beyond, including Estonia, the USA, Australia, Kenya, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. World Ploughing Organisation President Lars Gammelvin noted that this will be Croatia’s second time hosting the contest, with around 60 competitors expected from all branches of the organisation. In addition to the competitors themselves, accompanying teams and delegations will bring the total number of participants to between 300 and 500, while the event is expected to draw approximately 15,000 spectators.
More Than a Competition – A Global Agri Summit
Alongside the competitive programme, the event will feature a rich array of accompanying activities. An international gathering of agricultural journalists from around the world is planned, with more than 100 reporters covering the agricultural sector expected to attend. A ministerial conference on the topic of demographic renewal in agriculture will also be organised.
Financial Support and Strategic Significance
The Croatian Government, together with Osijek-Baranja County, has allocated approximately €760,000 for the organisation of the event. Minister Vlajčić emphasised the strategic dimension, noting that the contest brings nothing but benefits in terms of tourism, the promotion of Croatian agriculture, and the bridging of traditional land cultivation with modern technology and innovation in contemporary farming.
This will be Croatia’s second time hosting the World Ploughing Contest. The organisers are unanimous in their assessment that this international event represents an exceptional opportunity for Croatia to promote itself as both an agricultural and tourist destination, while also facilitating the exchange of experience and the forging of new business connections with farmers and institutions from around the world.