The President of the Serbian Potato Association, Professor Zoran Broćić, stated that producers are requesting the government to implement seasonal tariffs or levies on potato imports to protect domestic production and wholesale prices.
Domestic production costs range from 25 dinars per kilogram on irrigated fields with high yields to 50 dinars per kilogram on non-irrigated or low-yield plots. This year, drought has reduced yields, with only 30–40% of the roughly 20,000 hectares under irrigation. Expected yields vary from 6–20 tons per hectare in rain-fed areas to around 50 tons on irrigated fields.
Broćić noted that domestic production will meet Serbia’s needs until the end of the year, after which imports from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are expected, which could lower domestic wholesale prices.
Farmers reported challenges due to drought, lack of irrigation, and labor shortages. Some, like Branko Gujaničić, expect wholesale prices around 60 dinars per kilogram, reflecting high input costs, while others, like Pavel Valent, have invested heavily in irrigation systems to maintain production but face delayed payments from buyers.
Overall, smaller yields could lead some producers to exit the market, while higher-yield farmers may see modest profits.
