Serbia: EU subsidies for farmers

Non-refundable EU subsidies for Serbian farmers

This week, the Government of Serbia signed a financial agreement with the European Commission under the IPARD III program, securing €288 million in non-repayable funds for the agricultural sector. The agreement was signed by Serbia's Minister for European Integration, Ms. Tanja Miscevic, and the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, Aleksandar Martinovic.

The signing took place following a visit to a broiler chicken farm of an IPARD beneficiary from western Serbia. "This support is significant for agricultural producers. The IPARD III funds have increased by around 65% compared to the IPARD II program, which allocated €175 million," Minister Martinovic stated. He emphasized that the IPARD III program includes the following  measures: investments in the physical assets of agricultural holdings, processing and marketing of agricultural products, and fishery products.

The second and third measures focus on diversifying agricultural holdings, business development, and technical assistance. Minister Miscevic noted that full export capacity to the EU and the safety of agricultural products still need improvement. Giaufret highlighted the EU's commitment to supporting Serbian farmers. "The funds from the IPARD program have been significantly increased, reflecting the EU's commitment to these goals, as we view Serbia as a future EU member. This is a substantial boost for Serbia's agriculture," he said. The European Commission approved the IPARD III program for Serbia in March 2022, which will be in effect until 2027.

Appeal to seed companies to avoid price hikes

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management Aleksandar Martinovic met in Novi Sad with representatives of seed companies in Serbia, urging them to avoid unjustified price increases for certified seeds. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, the Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje," the Serbian Seed Association, and several seed companies across the country, the ministry announced.

The meeting was prompted by concerns from farmers about potential unjustified price hikes for certified seeds, for which subsidies of up to €145 per hectare will be provided as from next year. Also, the Ministry has informed farmers that payments of an additional €85 per hectare have begun for those who qualified for basic incentives in crop production in 2024. "In line with the agreement signed on October 28 between the Ministry of Agriculture and representatives of several farmers' associations, funds have been secured to provide an additional 85 EUR  for basic crop production incentives," the statement said.

Traditionalists are the most frequent users of spices

Approximately 85% of Serbia's population aged 15 to 64 uses spice blends, according to a BRAND plus study by IPSOS. The largest segment consists of "heavy users"— individuals who use spices at least four times a week— with women making up two-thirds of this group, mostly over the age of 50. These frequent users typically live in larger households in rural and suburban areas, are married, and cook daily for themselves and family members. Heavy spice users tend to lead a calm lifestyle, with family harmony, health, and religious values at the core of their life goals, and can be described as "family traditionalists." They spend their free time on home-based activities, preparing primarily traditional Serbian dishes while also enjoying experimenting with new recipes. For this group, having a daily cooked meal is essential, and they favor leisurely, complete meals that include soup, main courses, and dessert, the research shows.

Numerous white stork nests spotted in Serbia

The Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (DZPPS) announced that a record 1.927 white stork nests were documented in Serbia between April and July this year, with most nests located on utility poles. More than 200 people participated in the survey, covering nearly every inhabited area in the country. In 1,597 active nests, surveyors counted a total of 4,374 young storks. Of the nests recorded, 1,137 were located in Vojvodina, while 790 were south of the Sava and Danube rivers.

In 40 nests, only one or two adult birds without offspring were observed, and in 88 nests, the presence of young storks could not be confirmed. "The Tamis River region stands out for its high stork population, demonstrating the ecological conditions they require: proximity to rivers, canals, floodplains, and extensive grasslands that provide abundant food such as fish, small rodents, amphibians, and insects," explained Kristina Milosevic, an ornithologist at DZPPS and coordinator of the survey. She added that the villages of Vrazogrnci, Veliki Izvor, and Grljan in the Zajecar municipality yielded surprising results, with 64 nests counted. As for nesting sites, 1,043 nests were found on utility poles, while 220 were on specially designed platforms for safe nesting. An additional 335 nests were located on chimneys, 133 on other roof sections, 37 in trees, and 159 on various structures such as monuments, transformers, and high-voltage poles. DZPPS noted that the idea of a white stork census coordinated internationally dates back to 1934. Since then, the census has been conducted every ten years across more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, led by Germany's ornithological organization Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU). White stork populations in Serbia were first recorded in Vojvodina, beginning in 1957.