1690

Petrinja and the Gavrilović family

Turks have built a fortress on the site of today’s Petrinja in the 16th century. After their expulsion, at the confluence of Petrinjčica and Kupa, a new Petrinja developed as an important military and commercial center within the Military Frontier. First members of the Gavrilović family came to Petrinja as early as middle of the 17th century. Having fled from the Turks, brothers Ivan and Petar began to engage in the butcher trade. Nowadays the company is managed by the ninth generation of the Gavrilović family.

1773

Formation of the butcher’s guild

Once the Turks are expelled, new life flourishes in Petrinja. In 1773, Empress Maria Theresa designated Petrinja as the center of guild trade for the entire Frontier. The Gavrilović brothers are among the founders of the butcher’s guild in Petrinja.

1809

Suppliers to Napoleon

Petrinja was part of Napoleon’s Illyria from 1809 to 1813. year. Napoleon’s Marshal Marmont turned Petrinja into his regimental headquarters, and the Gavrilović brothers were the main suppliers of Napoleon’s troops within the Military Frontier.

1822

Organized production

Together with a few selected butchers and merchants from Petrinja, Ivan Gavrilović establishes the first factory. The factory secures a concession for supplying meat to army barracks throughout the Military Frontier, and Ivan’s son Matija expands the production by adding a bakery and a number of mills. He also opened the first tannery within Frontier territories.

1848

Ban’s honor

Butchers Josip and Ivan Gavrilović become main meat and meat product suppliers of Jelačić’s army during the annual military exercises. Colonel Josip Jelačić had the sympathies of the citizens of Petrinja and members of the Gavrilović family right from his arrival in Glina in 1841. year. From then on, Jelačić regularly visited Petrinja and became friends with butcher magnate Gavrilović.

1883

A decade of business ascent

Sons of the late Mate Gavrilović register the company Mate Gavrilović i drug. About fifty employees work in the factory and 50 pigs are slaughtered each day.

1889

The rise begins

Near the end of 1889, the company was registered in court under the name of “First Croatian salami, sausage and dried meat factory M. Gavrilović & sons — Petrinja”. From the report of Zagreb Chamber of Commerce: “… young Gavrilović brothers remodeled and then founded a large factory of salami, bacon and dry meat in 1889 and established a farm for their own needs, which they intend to gradually increase as this industry progresses”.

1891

Dominating the domestic market

Press reports on how the First Croatian factory of salami, dried meat and lard suppresses foreign competition with its excellent products such as dried meat, bacon and lard. Croatian salami, the forerunner of today’s Winter salami, tied with Croatian tricolored string, receives an honorary diploma at the Jubilee Economic and Forestry Exhibition.

1894

Luck favors the brave

That year the winter was particularly harsh, which favored the quality of all cured meat products. This has further strengthened Gavrilović leading position on the market.

1906

International expansion

The factory which now has 120 employees and sells its products to Hungary, Germany, Bosnia, Switzerland, Asia Minor, Palestine and Egypt is completely modernized. A beautiful and modern Gavrilović butcher shop opens in Vienna.

1912

New kind of energy

Modernization is made enabled by the construction of an electrical power station. Thanks to this plant Petrinja has received electric lighting in 1907. With demand increasing by the day, a special salami production line is opened at the factory in 1912.

1921

Marketing of another era

A newspaper advertisement of the time says:
“Well-known quality of its products gives a guarantee that I will serve our respected customers with only the best in every respect… and keep in stock every day, in addition to all kinds of dried meat, bacon and fat and 1-a salami, fresh frankfurter sausages, safaladas, Carniola sausages, Parisian sausages, Prague salami, blood sausage, etc., all immaculately fresh and delivered daily right from the factory.”

1933

The first great factory jubilee

To commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary, journalists from several editorial offices of daily and weekly Zagreb newspapers visited the factory. Grandiose headlines follow the visit: From a small sausage factory to a large enterprise in central Europe, 50 years of intensive work, Domestic capital, National character of the factory.

1939

The character of Jelica is born

60 wagons of salami, 20 wagons of lard and 5 wagons of cans are produced annually in Petrinja. Andrija Maurović designed the character of Jelica in image of the owner’s niece. It’s been on all Gavrilović products ever since.

1945

End of an era

World War II is over. The factory is confiscated and becomes public property. The Gavrilović family emigrates.

1952

In new conditions – a new rising

Gavrilović restarts export to Germany, Austria, Italy, Czechoslovakia and Great Britain. After World War II, Gavrilović was ready to expand its market and reestablish export ties with various European countries.

1965

A new perspective

A new, modern factory opens. Increased production capacity enabled the opening of new workplaces for the local populace, contributing to economic growth of Petrinja.

1968

Tko zna, zna

Gjuro II Gavrilović returns to Petrinja as a technical advisor. That same year Gavrilović salami, Buđola, Petrinja sausages, Frankfurter sausages, Gavrilović pâté and Beef goulash were all awarded gold medals at the Zagreb Fair.

1991

Back in the family

Gjuro III Gavrilović buys the bankrupted “Gavrilović”. This crucial moment marks a new beginning for Gavrilović, who retained its position as one of the most prominent producers of meat products in Croatia and beyond.

1995

Rise from the ashes

During 1995, production was re-established at the plant in Petrinja, which brought a new period of economic development to the Banija area.

2003

Setting the standard

Zimska salami and Kulen are awarded the Croatian Chamber of Commerce “Croatian original” mark. Liver pâté and Luncheon meat have been awarded the Croatian Chamber of Commerce “Croatian Quality” mark.

2008

Back at the top

In the Brandpuls research conducted by the Puls agency, Gavrilović turns out to be the most recognizable and best-rated Croatian brand within the food industry.

2012

International recognition

The German DLG organization awards goldDLG, a German-based European organization for independent testing and quality evaluation of food products, awarded gold medals from 2012 to 2019 to Winter Salami, Di Gusto salamis Romani and Divini, Srijem Sausage, Tea Pâté, as well as Panonica Croatica with chili pepper and Panonica Croatica with pepper. Silver medals were awarded to Tea Sausage, Graničarska Sausage, Gavrilović Kulen, and Liver Pâté. Bronze medals were awarded to Sudžuk and Meat Breakfast (canned meat product).

2018

The customer’s choice

Within Croatian consumer satisfaction surveys evaluated by Croatian mothers, Gavrilović won in categories such as cured salami, cured meats, pâté, ham in a casing, Tyrolean salami and hot dogs. The company received the “Chosen by moms” label.

2020

Too cool for school

In the Coolest Brands survey conducted by JoomBoos and Ipsos, Gavrilović was the winner in the salami category among Generation Z.

2021

It’s good to be good

Owner Georg Gavrilović Sr donated a building, land and IT equipment for a secondary school in Petrinja. In addition to the school building, with a total area of 2,400 m2, a courtyard covering more than 8,000 m2 is also being donated, together with equipment for a computer workshop.

2021

New products get new rewards

Since 2021, DLG, the German-based European organization for independent testing and quality assessment of food products, has awarded gold medals to several of our products, including Winter Salami, Tea Sausage, and Srijem Sausage. Gold medals were also awarded to our new Art pâté line — Chicken Classic, Chicken Roasty, and Chicken Classic — as well as to our first tuna pâté.

2022

Coolest brand in the salami category

According to an Ipsos and JoomBoos survey, the Gavrilović brand was recognized by Generation Z as the Coolest Brand in 2022. year, because his outlook perfectly reflects the spirit of this generation, which lives and proudly represents its authentic heritage.

2023

Number one in the pâté category in Croatia

Gavrilović maintains its leadership position through continuous investment in quality, innovation, and tradition. The company consistently develops new products and processes while preserving the values on which it was built. Remaining true to its heritage, Gavrilović continues to be a synonym for tradition, quality, and the very best of what we bring to our tables every day.

2024

Enjoy the next move

In 2024, Gavrilović proudly introduced an innovation to its product range – oval pâté packaging. With the same distinctive taste and quality that consumers have always loved, Gavrilović pâtés now come in a modern and practical format.

2025

Coolest brand in the salami category

According to an Ipsos and JoomBoos survey, the Gavrilović brand was recognized by Generation Z and Generation Alfa as the Coolest Brand in year of 2025.