The latest data from the Republic Statistical Office reveals a concerning trend in Serbia’s livestock sector, as the number of cattle has dropped by nearly four percent. However, there has been an increase in the numbers of pigs, sheep, and poultry. Agro-economic analyst Goran Đaković highlights that livestock farming in Serbia has been in decline since 2022, and the situation remains seriously troubling.
Nenad Budimović, Secretary of the Association for Livestock Breeding and Processing of Livestock Products at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, suggests that the negative trend seen in Serbia mirrors broader patterns in the European Union, though the underlying causes differ.
Đaković points out that in 2022, livestock production saw a significant drop in Serbia. Over 50,000 cattle were lost, while the number of pigs decreased by more than 10 percent, later worsening to 17 percent. Unfortunately, the negative trend continues. However, Đaković also observes a rise in the country’s agricultural budget, which grew by one billion euros.
“On the surface, one might think that farmers are thriving, but that is not the case,” Đaković says. “The subsidies are poorly allocated and delayed.”
For instance, despite being February 20th, there has been no public call for hectare subsidies, which are a key support for farmers. Last year, such calls were issued by February 1st.
When asked about the growing numbers of sheep and poultry, Đaković notes that this positive trend is essential for both cattle and pig farming. “The sheep farming sector is stable with good demand, and prices are steady, making it sustainable for producers,” he added.
European trends and domestic livestock production
Budimović notes that in the past two years, Europe has seen a significant decline in livestock numbers, with around three million pigs and 1.8 million cattle lost. However, Serbia has seen an increase in pig production, largely due to intensive farming practices. Companies investing in genetics, nutrition, and reproduction have reaped benefits, such as higher numbers of live-born piglets per litter, leading to more stable production.
Budimović also emphasized the challenges in cattle farming, describing it as both economically and organizationally demanding. “Capital turnover is slow in cattle farming,” he says. “For example, you wait over two years for the first liter of milk.”
He stressed the importance of tailoring production strategies to different regions in Serbia. Central and southern Serbia, as well as Vojvodina, each have distinct needs in terms of nutrition and the production of feed, which must be taken into account.
A livestock strategy was developed years ago, according to Budimović, but it requires careful implementation. “It exists, but it needs to be reviewed and put into practice,” he said.
Regional subsidies and better policy implementation
Đaković, meanwhile, criticized the lack of clear direction in Serbia’s agricultural policy. He pointed out that while the European Union recently announced a long-term economic strategy until 2040, Serbia has yet to implement its own livestock strategy effectively. Đaković believes that even the Serbian Minister of Agriculture may not be fully aware of the existing strategies, citing a recent incident where the Minister didn’t even know the details of milk subsidies.
Đaković argues that livestock farming issues can be addressed through well-designed subsidies, but they need to be more targeted. “We can’t just give subsidies to everyone; they should be carefully distributed,” he said. “A billion euros is a lot of money, and it must be invested wisely.”
He proposes regional adjustments in the subsidy system. “Let’s know where the mass livestock farming is, such as Pešter, and allocate more funds to those regions. Similarly, for areas specializing in fruit-growing, subsidies should be focused there,” Đaković suggested.
He also pointed out that the system lacks proper oversight, noting that if someone owns a small plot of land, they can easily register as a farmer and receive subsidies, without any inspection to verify if the subsidies are being used correctly.
In conclusion, while Serbia’s livestock farming faces significant challenges, particularly in cattle production, strategic investments, well-targeted subsidies, and regional adjustments could help stabilize and strengthen the sector in the long run.
