The Association of Agrarian Economists of Serbia advocates for the involvement of producers from the southern Serbian province in export initiatives, as stated by Tatjana Brankov. Recent contracts signed during Xi Jinping’s visit to Serbia, particularly for the export of prunes and blueberries to China, underscore the potential for expanding agricultural exports. While domestic producers may have expressed dissatisfaction with pricing, last year’s record blueberry exports generated over 33 million euros, indicating a lucrative market opportunity.
However, there are specific demands in the blueberry market, with most Serbian goods historically channeled through the Netherlands for re-export. To capitalize on this opportunity, experts suggest refining cultivation techniques and diversifying product assortments, especially with high-demand varieties like “Aženka” plums, which offer greater economic viability when processed into finished products.
The potential opening of the Chinese market for duty-free export could incentivize domestic producers to boost production and enhance competitiveness. Nonetheless, Tatjana Brankov emphasizes exercising caution to prevent issues like fruit re-exportation, ensuring that the benefits of export expansion remain within Serbia.
The Association of Agrarian Economists of Serbia advocates for the inclusion of plum-producing regions in southern Serbia, recognizing their significant contributions to overall production capacity.
