Speaking to Hina, Jakovina said the ministry wanted to help fruit growers given the damage caused this year first by frost and then drought so that fruit prices could stay on last year's level.
He said that in order to deal with the consequences of this year's drought, the ministry would move a regulation on export duties on cereals, wheat, barley, soy and maize as well as amendments to rescind import duties on them.
The minister said those would be temporary measures until the market stabilised.
He said food prices would go up but that if good measures were taken and with buyers' understanding, there should be no steep hikes, adding that one must bear in mind citizens' purchasing power.
Opening the fruit growing fair, Jakovina said HRK 310 million of the 400 million owed farmers in back incentives had already been paid.
The fair drew about 150 exhibitors.
(EUR 1 = HRK 7.47)