Serbia: Farmers unsatisfied with unpaid subsidies

Farmers unsatisfied due to unpaid subsidies

Farmers in Serbia have not yet received all subsidies from the previous year, despite receiving notifications indicating they were entitled to 85 EUR per hectare for seeds. The funds have not been deposited into their accounts, Miroslav Matkovic, President of the Assembly of the Subotica Farmers' Association, stated for Beta news agency. He noted a two-month delay in the refund of excise taxes on diesel fuel. According to an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, the 0.42 EUR per liter refund should be processed within 14 days. "We appeal to the Ministry to pay the overdue subsidies and approve the promised subsidized loans. The optimal deadline for the first application of urea fertilizer to wheat is February 15, and the price of urea has already increased to 0.48 EUR," Matkovic said. He further mentioned that farmers cannot purchase diesel at the guaranteed price of RSD 179 per liter this year. The national petrol company – NIS  recently informed farmers that this price would only be valid until January 27. Mileta Slankamenac, President of the Initiative for the Survival of Serbian Farmers, stated that members of his organization would no longer remind the Ministry of Agriculture of its obligations. According to him, the farmers' demands align with those of protesting students, who are calling for institutions to perform their duties. Slankamenac emphasized that Serbia, with its three million hectares of arable land, lacks a comprehensive agricultural development strategy, as the previous one expired last year. The fate of IPARD programs remains uncertain, and farmers are facing numerous unresolved issues that the state has yet to address, explained Mr Slankamenac.

Dairy farmers warn of falling purchase prices and reduced milk collection

Dairies Dairy processors operating in Kraljevo and its surroundings have reduced the purchase price of raw milk by 0.04 to 0.1 EUR per liter, with plans for an additional reduction of 0.04 EUR per liter and a decrease in collected quantities, Predrag Veljkovic, a member of the Assembly of the Association of Milk Producers of Sumadija and Pomoravlje, stated for Beta news agency. Mr. Veljkovic explained that he had been selling milk at 0.47 EUR per liter, but the price was recently lowered to 0.42 EUR because he produces more than 50 liters daily. Dairies pay even less—0.38 EUR per liter for farmers producing less than that. "The price reductions have been implemented by Kraljevo Dairy and all local dairies, including Ekobiser, Dukat Dairy, Lazar Blace and Kuc Company. An additional 0.04 EUR per liter reduction and further decreases in collected quantities have been announced," Veljkovic said. He added that farmers facing reduced collection are pressuring other dairies to take over the surplus. The issue, according to Veljkovic, stems from the import of plant-based cheese, which has halted the production of traditional local hard cheese “kackavalj” by smaller dairies lacking production lines for fermented dairy products. Approximately ten days ago, representatives of the Central Serbia Cattle Breeders Association met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and dairy representatives. During the meeting, dairies justified the price cuts by citing excessive stockpiles. "The Ministry of Agriculture agreed to purchase part of the surplus and pay Imlek Dairy and Ub Dairy to dehydrate the milk, offering it as powdered milk to confectioners representatives, Beta agency reported. It was agreed that the Ministry will form a working group with main goal to prepare a strategic document for the improvement of milk quality and milk hygiene standards.

Minister urges raspberry traders  to pay producers price difference

Serbian Minister of Agriculture Aleksandar Martinovic called on raspberry traders to compensate producers for the price difference of 0.42 EUR /kg for last year's raspberry crop, ensuring it reaches 2.56 EUR per kilogram. The appeal was made during the second meeting of the Working Group for the Improvement of Berry Production and Market in Serbia, held with producers and buyers, according to a statement from the Ministry. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Association of Berry Producers "Vilamet" from Arilje, the Federation of Raspberry and Other Berry Producers "Serbian Raspberry," the National Society for Fruit Production "Our Fruit Serbia," and the Cooperative Association of Serbia. Raspberry buyers and traders, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, also participated in the discussions, stated Ministry of Agriculture.

Sugar beet production in 2024

The company Sunoko, a member of MK Group, announced that its processing facilities will produce approximately 180.000 tons of sugar. Despite challenging weather conditions and record-high summer temperatures in 2024, the total sugar beet harvest is close to 1.4 million tons, with an average yield of 42 tons per hectare. The best yields were recorded in the Srem region, averaging 51 tons per hectare, followed by 42 tons per hectare in Backa, while the lowest yield was in Banat, at just 33 tons per hectare. "Climatic conditions reduced the estimated sugar beet yield by about 25% compared to its potential in early June 2024. However, exceptional results were achieved in fields where full agrotechnical measures and protection practices recommended by Sunoko Research and Development Center were applied. This demonstrates that Sunoko has the technology to adapt to such conditions," said Slobodan Kosutic, director of Sunoko at the Sugar Beet Seminar, an annual event organized for the company's partners. Director Kosutic emphasized that the quality of raw materials was unsatisfactory. He noted that what appeared to be healthy sugar beet root contained a high level of inverted sugars. "A portion of the sucrose had broken down into simple sugars, leading to significant losses during processing. Additionally, rotting sugar beets, particularly in Banat and Srem, required a significantly different approach to harvesting, logistics, and reception processes at the factories," it was stated during the event.

Michelin stars to two Belgrade’s restaurants

Langouste Restaurant and Fleur de Sel Restaurant have been awarded the prestigious Michelin stars for the 2025. The Michelin Guide, now in its fourth year of recognizing restaurants in Serbia, has expanded its list to include 25 establishments. In addition to the starred restaurants, many from last year's list have retained their "recommended" status, including Salon 1905, Gusti Mora, JaM, Enso, Homa, Magellan, The Square, Legat 1903, Ebisu, Comunale Cafè e Cucina, Mezestoran Dvorište, Langouste, Bela Reka, Metropolitan Grill at the Hyatt Regency, Sky-lounge at the Hilton, Twenty Two at the Metropol Palace, Pinòt, L'adresse, Na Cosku, and Klub Knjizevnika. This year, they are joined by GiG. Restaurants Iva New Balkan Cuisine and Istok continue to hold the Bib Gourmand distinction, awarded for offering excellent food at reasonable prices. The Bib Gourmand designation is named after Michelin's mascot, Bibendum. "Michelin stars, now proudly held by our restaurants, are a testament to sustained excellence in gastronomy and tourism, highlighting the quality of Serbia's hospitality scene. These achievements place Serbia on the international gastronomic map, emphasizing its growing reputation as a prestigious and attractive tourist destination," stated Marija Labovic, Director of the Tourism Organization of Serbia.

Serbia to harmonize with EU practices and laws by end of 2026

Minister of European Integration and Chair of the Council of the Coordinating Body for Serbia’s EU Ac-cession Process Ms Tanja Miscevic talked with members of the Council about the methodology that will be used to reach the goal of harmonizing Serbia’s institutions with the laws and practices of the EU by the end of 2026. The participants of the meeting agreed on further procedures for attaining set goal, especially a harmonized approach to fulfilling the measures defined in the Reform Agenda, the National Program for Adopting the EU’s Acquis, the recommendations stemming from  the European Commission’s Annual Report, as well as other documents which define Serbia’s obligations in the accession process, reads the statement.