Field electrification incentives available to farmers

March 22nd, 2020, https://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/ekonomija/aktuelno.239.html

Farmers across Serbia are continuing their important work despite the recent COVID-19 measures taken. In fact, it was recently announced that Serbian farmers are currently sowing approximately 2 million hectares.

Agricultural work is considered essential as it provides basic sustenance for the country, and any significant delay in spring planting could be detrimental to the stability of the country’s food safety. That being said, it is important to note that government officials and agricultural cooperatives are working closely with farmers to ensure that work can continue in a safe way. This includes ensuring that areas in which farmers could potentially come into contact the virus are disinfected and kept in a hygienic state. Additionally, farmers are asked to assist farmers aged 70 years or older in order to reduce their potential for exposure.

10) Serbia to export flour to help Western Balkan countries amid COVID-19 outbreak

March 20th, 2020, https://bbj.hu/region/serbia-plans-food-exports-to-w-balkan-countries_180049

Serbia plans to launch exports of flour to Western Balkan countries to help them avoid food shortages amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Serbia currently has an enormous reserve of wheat, corn and vegetable oil. For example, Serbia currently has enough flour to supply its domestic market for two years.

11) Raspberry and blackberry association urges cultivation to continue

March 18th, 2020, https://beta.rs/ekonomija/ekonomija-srbija/124646

The Association of Raspberry and Blackberry Producers of Serbia has called on producers to continue production works while also respecting the measures in place to contain the spread of COVID-19. Amid the uncertainty of the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, many producers are uncertain how to proceed, prompting concerns that many raspberry and blackberry plantations may not be cultivated this year. Some experts believe it extremely important for cultivation to continue as normally as possible, especially given that the industry supports the livelihood of an estimated 100,000 Serbians.

12) Serbian domestic flour and wheat supplies ample

March 13th, 2020, https://agrosmart.net/2020/03/13/brasna-dovoljno-u-radnjama-cene-zita-padaju-izvoz-stoji/

Although prices for flour have increased and there are sporadically shortages on store shelves, Serbia is not experiencing a flour or wheat shortage. In fact, experts indicate that domestic flour needs are fully satisfied and that the country currently has a large surplus (500,000 tons) of wheat. As such, there should be no effective shortage of the essential product on market shelves or for grain producers. Although the supply is ample, experts believe that the price of flour will remain at approximately RSD 28 per kilogram or possibly increase. The price of wheat is currently approximately RSD 19 per kilogram.

13) Export requirements eased for fruits and vegetables bound for Russia

March 13th, 2020, http://www.agronews.rs/laksi-izvoz-voca-i-povrca-iz-srbije-u-rusiju/

New rules have been introduced to ease the export of fruits and vegetables from Serbia to Russia. Specifically, the minimum refrigerated capacity of exports bound for Russia have been reduced from 500 tons to 200 tons. This will make it easier for many Serbian farmers to export to Russian markets, especially those engaged in the export of plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackber-