Despite favourable growing conditions, strawberry production in Croatia does not satisfy local market demand. Despite its high capital and labour input, out-of-season strawberry production has the potential to increase farm income and to provide new employment opportunities in rural areas. The aim of this study was to examine economic factors influencing the adoption of out-of-season strawberry production, and to present an economic analysis of different production systems for the Croatian strawberry industry. Budgeting methods and business analysis methods were used to compare different approaches for producing fruit out-of-season. The study involved six different combinations using two different cultivars, two types of plants, and two types of plastic mulch. Yield was the main factor that influenced revenue. Realized market prices were about Euro 3.53 per kilogram, and this price was constant during the selling period. Plants, mulch and labour represented the main cost factors. Preliminary results showed that cool-stored runner plants (A+) of the cultivar ‘ Raurica’ grown on white plastic mulch, produced acceptable economic results as perceived by farmers, although this was not the highest net income combination. Future steps will include implementing results that lead to more efficient production systems and higher returns to farmers.