7 minute read
500 Cooperatives in 500 Villages project exceeds all expectations
December 12th, 2019, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/usaid-i-ministarstvo-poljoprivrede
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Agriculture launched a USD 90 million loan guarantee program for the food industry. The overall objective of the 12-year program is to support business development and generate new investments in the agricultural sector, with a specific focus on food production and processing. A part of the funds have also been earmarked for start-up companies (those in business for three years or less), women-owned businesses and companies operating in underdeveloped areas.
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Qualifying loans under the program can be used for the purchase of land, buildings or necessary equipment. USAID will also provide free technical assistance to loan beneficiaries. The program will provide a 60% guarantee on qualifying loans.
December 9th, 2019, http://uap.gov.rs/zavrsna-svecanost-povodom-zatvaranja-projekta
A closing ceremony for the Supporting the Use of EU IPARD Funds project was held in Belgrade earlier this month. The project, which leveraged the expertise of 16 specialists, supported efforts to prepare accreditation packages under IPARD II measures 1, 3, 7 and 9. The project also organized two study visits for 28 participants on the implementation of IPARD II measures 7 and 9 as well as the implementation of the Communication and Visibility Plan, which was designed to better inform the general public about support opportunities provided by the IPARD Fund.
15) Eur 20 million to finance climate mitigation and resilience projects
December 9th, 2019, https://www.ebrd.com/news/2019/ebrd-and-gcf-boost-climate-finance-for-serbian-smes.html
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the government of Luxembourg are providing EUR 20 million in financing for climate mitigation and resilience projects. Funding will be made available (through UniCredit Leasing) to small- and medium-sized enterprises interested in investing in high-performing technologies that improve the use of energy, water and land resources in Serbia. Specifically, leases will be made available for investments in technologies such as energy-efficient agricultural, commercial, drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting equipment.
16) Project to strengthening animal health and welfare systems
December 6th, 2019, https://agrosmart.net/2019/12/06/jacanjem-zdravlja-i-dobrobiti
The European Union (EU)-funded Strengthening the Animal Health and Welfare System project works to support the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture in aligning Serbian legislation with EU legislation and standards in the field of animal health and welfare and biosecurity. Currently, the project is helping the Veterinary Directorate develop an animal disease control strategy as well as carry out targeted campaigns, monitoring and surveillance programs. The project is also supporting the development of an animal emergency plan.
December 3rd, 2019, https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/
The World Bank has approved a USD 50 million loan program to support government efforts to improve the agri-food market linkages of small- and medium-sized Serbian farms. The program aims to increase sector competitiveness and provide economic opportunities in rural areas of Serbia as the country moves toward European Union (EU) membership. The program will promote the use of agricultural advisory and business development services for producers interested in and eligible for matching rural development in order to support improved efficiency, smoother market entry, easier access to commercial loans and greater resilience to risks. The program will also support the Ministry of Agriculture in streamlining its open data capabilities by modernizing its information systems and integrating them into an open data platform that will provide Serbian agricultural producers with access to important agroclimatic and market information.
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18) Sugar beet research center to open in Serbia
December 18th, 2019, http://www.tanjug.rs/full-view_en.aspx?izb=526226
Sunoko, Serbia’s top sugar producer, will invest EUR 1 million next year to set up a sugar beet cultivation research center. The center will conduct research on sugar beet cultivation technology and techniques to improve sugar yield and quality. The company plans on sharing the knowledge gained from the center with its partners and other parties interested in boosting sugar beet yields.
19) Digitizing the agricultural sector
December 17th, 2019, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/brnabic-poslednje-dve-godine-dobre-u-poljoprivredi/
2018 proved to be a better-than-average year for agriculture, and 2019 is expected to be an even stronger year. Much of this success is thanks to digitalization in agriculture, which is occurring in the country in two different directions. First, information systems and administrative procedures are being digitalized, making access to information easier and procedures run more efficiently. At the same time, digitizing is starting to enter the actual sector itself as well, giving farmers access to more exact data to reduce costs and improve production. With continuing gains, it seems likely that Serbia’s agricultural sector will continue to be strong in 2020.
20) New lab opens to improve controls for frozen fruits and vegetables
December 16th, 2019, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/unapredjen-sistem-nadzora-kvaliteta-zamrznutog-voca-i-povrca/
The company Sirogojno has invested EUR 200,000 to construct and open a new lab to perform microbiological, chemical and virological analyses on frozen fruits and vegetables. The company, which is one of Serbia's largest exporters and producers of frozen fruits and vegetables, also plans to use the lab to control for pesticide and heavy metal concentrations in fruits and vegetables. Once fully-operational, the lab will be capable of performing all the analyzes of other accredited laboratories in Serbia. Sirogojno made the decision to build the lab in order to ensure that it complies with increasingly stringent regulations and market requirements as well as continuously improve the quality and safety of its products.
December 8th, 2019, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/mali-proizvodjaci-hrane-su-marginalizovani/
Smaller agricultural producers are being increasingly marginalized, especially with the increased impact of climate change and extreme weather events on production. While these events also impact larger producers, smaller ones are more greatly impacted as they are typically not extended the same eventmitigating resources (including insurance opportunities) as their larger counterparts. While the issue is a complex one for which there is no single solution, smaller farmers do have some solutions at their disposal, including joining forces in cooperatives and associations as well as acquiring geographical indications in order to access niche markets concerned with higher quality products. The government can also help smaller producers by adopting European Union (EU) legislation and regulations in the field of food safety, specifically those aimed at supporting smaller producers. There are also a number of significant projects yet to be launched in Serbia, including those related to developing modern irrigation systems and fighting diseases.
Smaller agricultural producers in Serbia has great potential to boost Serbia’s economy, but they must take appropriate steps to ensure their survival as well as received adequate support from state and international players.
22) Rebuilding Serbian pork production
December 5th, 2019, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/uvoz-proizvoda-od-mesa-skocio-200-odsto/
African swine flu has negatively impacted pork production in Serbia, causing the sector to suffer setbacks that it is only now starting to bounce back from. Last year, Serbia produced 2 million pigs, far less than domestic demand. To meet demand, nearly USD 76 million of pork was imported this year, causing pork prices to rise by nearly 200%. There is, however, hope for the sector as vaccines for pigs have been ceased, a move which will (eventually) open up European markets to Serbian pork exporters. At the same, Serbia has been actively intensifying negotiations to increase exports to Russia and Belarus and is also examining opportunities in the huge market of China.
23) Nedimovic working to expand agricultural trade with Belarus
December 3rd, 2019, http://rs.n1info.com/Biznis/a549258/Nedimovic-od-Belorusije-zatrazio
Agriculture Minister Branislav Nedimovic met with Belarusian representatives at the Serbia-Belarus Business Forum to advocate for increased agricultural trade between the two countries. In particular, the Minister urged representatives to examine possibilities for increasing the export of meat and meat products from Serbia to Belarus. The Minister also discussed the possibility of allowing duty-free imports of powdered milk and butter from Belarus.
The two countries currently engage in about USD 20 million worth of agricultural trade each year. Minister Nedimovic believes that there is much more untapped potential for both sides to benefit from that could double or even triple current levels of agricultural trade.
24) Serbian wines having domestic and international success
December 3rd, 2019, http://www.agronews.rs/srpska-vina-hit-na-svetskom-trzistu/
2018 was one of the most successful years for Serbian winemakers as the year saw the country produce more than 29 million liters of wine and reach an export value of EUR 17 million. Moreover, Serbian wines are increasing in popularity worldwide, largely thanks to demand for autochthonous wines and those with protected geographical origin. Serbian wines have also made strides domestically and now make up 70% of the domestic market (as opposed to only 30% just five years ago).
Prepared by Business & Finance Consulting (BFC) www.bfconsulting.com Articles are taken directly from local sources without any fact-checking; they are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Business & Finance Consulting (BFC)’s editing is limited to providing a short summary in English of the texts, highlighting the main points of the original articles. All rights reserved by the authors. BFC takes no responsibility and does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, or assume any responsibility whatsoever for the content, accuracy, and reliability, or completeness of any of the articles.
