Serbia: AgroBelgrade fair attracts producers, suppliers and traders of horticulture and viticulture

AgroBelgrade Fair taking place between January 25-27

For the fifth year in a row, the AgroBelgrade Fair, a specialized fruit, vegetable and wine fair gathers at the same place producers, suppliers and traders from Serbia and the wider region. The fair is taking place in Belgrade between January 25 and 27.

The increase in fruit, vegetable and wine production in Serbia in the recent past led to an increased interest in having a professional gathering in Serbia, which would aim to position Belgrade as a regional hub for trade, knowledge exchange and facilitation of partnerships between domestic and international buyers, retailers and distributors. One of the main goals of the fair is to bring the main European and global market players closer to a wide range of Serbian and regional stakeholders, such as producers, business integrators, service and input providers, fruit/vegetable/wine processors, international and domestic distributors and retailers.

The exibition part of the Fair provides contacts and connection with companies and producers of fresh, frozen and processed fruits, vegetables and grapes. The exhibition segment includes more than 500 exhibitors, including the world's most prestigious companies.

The conference part of the fair will host national and international speakers focusing on the importance of new market trends, available finance instruments for agriculture, use of renewable energy in agriculture, and harmonizing production with EU and global market needs and standards.

Alternative source of protein for poultry feed

In 2024, the Faculty of Agriculture Novi Sad will start the project "Improving sustainable solutions by developing insect-based proteins as new options for animal nutrition: PRO SUSTAIN", which will be implemented at the Agro Campus in Temerin. According to assistant professor PhD Sasa Krstovic from the Department for Animal Husbandry, the idea is to use certain technological processes to obtain a high-protein nutrient rich in amino acids from insect larvae. This alternative source of protein could be a substitute for traditional sources of protein like soybean. Additionally, the residues from the milling industry and products that are not suitable for feeding animals are used for feeding insect larvae. Mind the fact that insect are natural food for poultry.

The project is selected for financial support by the Science Development Fund of Serbia as part of the PRIZMA program. It will last for three years and will cost €300 thousand,  said PhD Dejan Beukovic, Assistant Professor and the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department. “The project team will include young agricultural engineers from animal husbandry and plant protection departments. Also, the project attracted the attention of foreign institutes dealing with the same topic, so the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad established contact with the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, the most significant research and education institution in agriculture in Europe” stated Mr. Beukovic and reports e-kapija portal.

Program for Changed Climate Conditions adopted

On December 25, 2023, the outgoing Government of Serbia approved the Program for Changed Climate Conditions for 2023-2030 with the Action Plan for 2024-2026. This unusual policy decision has created a precedent as the government is acting under a technical mandate until a new government can be formed following the country’s general elections in December.  

The measure must be legally implemented regardless of the makeup of the next government.

With the ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2017, Serbia has committed to take necessary measures in the fight against climate change. The approval of this program is an important step in that direction as it lists measures and actions Serbia will undertake in the coming years in order to adapt to the consequences of climate change, reports Klima 101 portal. 

Silos full of wheat - rodents have damaged the crops

According to data from the Grain Association of Serbia, 625.000 hectares of land were sown with wheat last fall and that is one hundred thousand hectares less than a year before. There is no reason to worry, experts say. The area under wheat crop is at the level of the ten-year average meaning that there will be enough wheat to cover domestic needs and for export.

The Grain Association of Serbia says that this is the second year in a row with high stocks transferred to the new year. The crops in the fields are in good condition but the silos are full of corn from the previous harvest. The main concern is an extremely high number of rodents. "The advice to farmers is to visit their plots because the rodent infestation is high. Farmers should pay attention to eliminating rodents from the fields in order for vegetation to continue developing normally", says Darko Simic from Agriculture Advisory Service of Sabac and reports national TV broadcaster.

Bread consumption in Serbia halved

In Serbia, bread consumption per capita in 2022 amounted to 48 kilograms, almost half of the amount consumed fifteen years earlier, reported Biznis.rs. In 2006, the per capita consumption was 91.5 kilograms. According to estimates of Zitounija, Association of Milling, Baking and Pasta Industries of Serbia, around one million tons of wheat are milled annually in Serbia.

"Due to the reduced bread consumption per capita and the decreased population, the annual milling has decreased to around one million tons, instead of the previous 1.2 million tons," stated Zitounija. They added that from one million tons of wheat, approximately 730,000 tons of flour for human consumption are produced. The flour for human consumption is primarily used for bread and pastry production, direct consumption by the population, pasta and confectionery production and export.

Consumers in Serbia mostly purchase so-called small packages of flour. The average annual output of small flour packages is around 60,000 tons, with approximately eight percent, or 5,000 tons, being exported. "It is encouraging that flour exports in the second half of 2023 showed a very positive increasing trend, being at least 30,000 tons higher than in 2022, thereby reducing flour stocks," said agro-economist Mr. Branislav Gulan for Biznis.rs.

50 million liters of fruit brandy produced in Serbia annually

Around 50 million liters of rakija (fruit brandy) are produced in Serbia annually, with 30 million liters from distilleries registered with the Ministry of Agriculture. According to data from the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, the remaining 20 million liters are produced for personal use.

About 100 new distilleries are established each year in Serbia. As per the association of entrepreneurs, the highest number of rakija producers are in the Rasina, Zlatibor and Sumadija regions. Among the most popular rakija are shljivovica (plum brandy), pear, and quince rakijas. The data from the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia also indicates that there are approximately 730 producers of hard liquor registered in Serbia, and the annual rakija exports to foreign markets are growing at a rate exceeding 20%.

Rakija is primarily exported to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Germany and the United States, with emerging markets including Azerbaijan, Lithuania, and Latvia. According to Aleksandar Bogunovic, the Secretary of the Association for Plant Production and the Food Industry at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, there has been increased interest in opening distilleries in recent years, mostly from individuals looking to engage in this activity as an additional business or a hobby. Approximately 100 new distilleries are established annually in Serbia, but simultaneously, a certain number are removed from the registry. "The fact is that the number of producers is increasing, as is rakija production in Serbia. With the adoption of the Law on Strong Alcoholic Beverages, the procedure for registering producers has been significantly simplified, and due to this fact, a large number of those who previously distilled rakija decided to register and operate legally," explained Bogunovic. Serbian shljivovica was officially included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage last year.