Private Sector

from each state final will compete in the Grand Final Innovation Prize competition for a chance at winning up to EUR 25,000.

10) Decisions on applications for the use IPARD funds made

July 10th, 2020, http://www.stips.minpolj.gov.rs/index.php/srl/vest/krenula-resenja-za-ipard-traktore

The Directorate for Agrarian Payments has started informing beneficiaries of accepted applications for the use of IPARD funds to procure new tractors. This relates to the second public call for the procurement of tractors under Measure 1 of IPARD and the third call in a row for the use of IPARD funds to procure mechanized agricultural machinery. It is important to note that applications under this call are still being processed.

11) EUR 20 million in financing for green economy transition

July 6th, 2020, https://www.ekapija.com/en/news/2936416/ebrd

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the government of Luxembourg are teaming up with UniCredit Leasing Serbia to offer a total of EUR 20 million to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for financing investments in climate and green economy projects. Financing is available for privately-owned enterprises in the manufacturing, agricultural, services, construction, commerce and transport sectors. Leases will also be offered for electricity generation in photovoltaic solar power plants.

Eligible investments include those made into improved energy efficiency, the more efficient management of water, land and natural resources and renewable energy sources It is important that investments boost the profitability and competitiveness of enterprises as well as mitigate negative impacts on the environment and the effects of global warming and climate change.

Private Sector

12) EU withdraws additional control measures on Serbian raspberry exports

July 28th, 2020, http://www.agronews.rs/eu-povlaci-dodatne-mere-kontrole-izvoza-malina-iz-srbije/

The Standing Committee on Animals, Plants, Food and Animal Feed of the European Union has decided to withdraw an additional control measure for the export of frozen raspberries from Serbia, specifically the additional inspection of every tenth raspberry shipment for norovirus. This is expected to result in less costs for exporters and great incomes for producers. The decision comes following the success of education campaigns as well as the additional training of inspectors.

13) Fruit prices reach 15-year high

July 25th, 2020, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/keserovic-voce-u-srbiji-najskuplje-za-poslednjih-15-godina/

The price of most fruits this year reached a 15-year high due to a combination of unexpected freezing in Eastern Europe and measure taken to combat the spread of COVID-19. Producers that have invested in modern technologies in recent years have been the biggest beneficiaries of this year’s higher prices as their increased yields have brought them even more profits, helping improve their standards of living.

14) Market for fattened cattle dries up

July 22nd, 2020, https://www.novosti.rs/vesti/ekonomija/903902/

The market for fattened cattle has virtually closed due to an excess of supply. In fact, there are currently an estimated 250,000 head of cattle on the market, with a demand for only approximately 86,000 annually. The excess in available cattle is due to reduced exports to China, Italy, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. In fact, exports to China and Turkey have almost completely stopped. This has put many cattle producers in a difficult place, unsure of how to maintain their business. As such, it will be important for new export avenues to be quickly identified.

15) Wheat harvest nearly completed

July 14th, 2020, https://beta.rs/ekonomija/ekonomija-srbija/13033

This year’s wheat harvest is nearing its end, with a total yield expected of approximately 2.6 million tons, 5-6% more than last year’s harvest. The increase in total amount harvested is largely due to an increased average yield per hectare, which reached 4.5 tons this year (as opposed to 4.2 tons per hectare last year). Moreover, the quality of this year’s harvest is expected to be higher overall than last year.

16) Raspberry prices remain consistent despite halved production

July 8th, 2020, https://www.danas.rs/ekonomija/udruzenje-proizvodjaca-malina-rod-prepolovljen-cena-ne-raste/

Dobrivoje Radovic, president of the Association of Raspberry Producers in Serbia, is expecting a 50% lower yield in this year’s raspberry harvest. At the same time, prices are expected to be between RSD 190 and RSD 200 per kilogram, an increase of RSD 10-15 over last year. He also noted that wholesalers and resellers charge much higher prices, arguing that it is unfair for them to take profits of up to 150% and not share them with producers. He further contends that producers should receive a price of between RSD 230 and RSD 240 from wholesalers and resellers.

It is important to note that raspberries production was decimated in many parts of the country this year by storms.

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.