Recent frost events have impacted Serbia's fruit sector, particularly apricots, with damage reaching up to 95% in certain regions, according to Zoran Keserovic, a professor at the Novi Sad Faculty of Agriculture. The warm weather earlier in the year accelerated the development of generative buds, leading to increased vulnerability during late spring frosts. "This has been the case over the past 10 or 12 years," Keserovic noted. The frost events caused substantial losses last year, with an estimated reduction of 160,000 to 200,000 tons of fruit. In 2024, fruit production accounted for 17.8% of total plant output, a 12.1% decrease from 2023, largely due to adverse weather conditions.
Raspberry plantations in Serbia have not yet faced severe frost damage, though future weather conditions remain a concern. Despite being a major export, disputes over purchase prices between producers and buyers are common. Keserovic highlighted a decline in production since 2018, with output falling from approximately 120,000 tons to 88,000 tons in 2023. He attributes this to a lack of certified planting material and outdated plantation technologies, including insufficient protective netting.
On pricing, Keserovic pointed out that in 2024, raspberry prices ranged from 2.1 to 2.5 EUR/kg, a decrease from 4.2 to 5.1 EUR/kg just a few years prior. He suggests contract agreements to set advance prices, enabling producers to cover harvesting costs. This would involve sharing export price profits between cold storage operators and producers. "Improving production methods is essential for increasing yields," Keserovic stated.
Frozen raspberries consistently rank among Serbia's top agricultural exports, generating over €254 million annually. However, the agricultural sector faces challenges from the "gray economy," driven by unregulated trade and the absence of a unified market. This affects various products, with intermediaries inflating prices and reducing producer earnings. The Cooperative Union of Vojvodina has called for a unified program to combat the gray economy, involving farmers and other societal segments. NALED experts estimate that aligning with Central and Eastern European countries' trade levels could take three to five years, while reaching the European average might require a decade, contingent on increased state inspectorate efforts.
Source: MLVVN