Serbia eyes sustainable irrigation

Serbia launches assessment for sustainable irrigation

Facing the consequences of climate change such as increasingly frequent droughts, floods, and crop damage, Serbia has taken an important step forward. The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated the development of a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the Irrigation and Drainage Program to 2032. This assessment is not just a legal obligation, but also an ambitious attempt to align the development of water management infrastructure with principles of environmental protection, public health, and sustainable resource use. The program, which covers the entire territory of Serbia, is the first document of its kind to be aligned with the Water Management Strategy to 2034. It has multiple objectives: increasing the efficiency and resilience of agriculture to climate change, improving the use of existing publicly owned systems, encouraging individual irrigation, and introducing practices that are both economically viable and environmentally friendly, reports Glas javnosti.  The assessment will analyze the impacts on water, air, soil, climate and biodiversity, as well as potential social and economic effects. The report will be public and accessible to everyone, with citizens able to submit comments. In accordance with the Espoo Convention, cross-border consultations with neighboring countries will also be conducted.

Given that previous irrigation development efforts have not delivered the expected results, this document is intended to be a turning point. Despite a €100 mn loan taken by the state a decade ago, irrigated land has actually decreased—from 53.086 hectares in 2013 to just 47.579 hectares in 2023, which accounts for only 1.4% of total agricultural land. Although 2024 data show a slight increase—48.668 hectares are now irrigated—this still falls short of levels from ten years ago. Sprinkler irrigation remains the dominant method (used on 91% of irrigated land), while drip irrigation is used on 8.8%. Surface irrigation is almost non-existent. Most water is drawn from rivers (92.8%), with groundwater making up only a small portion of total intake. Experts warn that Serbia cannot afford to delay systemic solutions. Climate change has already cost the country’s agriculture over six billion dollars in the past decade. The assessment is expected to be completed in 2026, with funding already planned in the 2025 budget.

Serbia classified as low risk country on the EU list of deforestation risk countries

The European Commission has published its first Country Classification List in line with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Serbia has been placed in the low-risk category, which will make it easier for local soybean producers and exporters to access the EU market.

However, low-risk status does not exempt companies from obligations. They are still required to provide geolocation data, proof of legal production and deforestation-free status, and conduct a supply chain risk assessment. Danube Soya Organization reminds soy producers and processors in Serbia that the EUDR will take effect on December 30, 2025. The organization is supporting Serbian stakeholders through its Crop Insights platform, which uses satellite data to help verify compliance with the regulation, reports Agronews.

Serbia reaches highest forest coverage ever

Serbia has achieved its highest forest coverage in history, now reaching 39%—more than double the level before World War II, announced Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamocic at a conference on sustainable forestry and rural development, according to news agency FoNet. Minister Glamocic emphasized that forests play a much broader role than just providing timber. They help preserve biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and regulate the climate—functions that are becoming increasingly important as climate extremes intensify. Mr. Sasa Stamatovic, Director of the Serbian Forestry Administration, outlined two main goals for the country’s forestry sector: nature-based forest management and alignment with the EU Timber Regulation. Nature-based forest management, practiced in Serbia for the past decade, relies on selective logging and encouraging natural tree competition to build forest resilience against droughts, floods, and storms, while also protecting ecosystems and species. For the first time, Serbia is using modern tools such as drones and georeferenced imaging to monitor forests. These technologies allow the rapid detection of damaged trees within just 14 days. With over $80 million in support from international environmental funds, Serbia is leading the region in advanced forest management and is even ahead of many other European countries in this area.

Proposals for key changes to Organic Production Law

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a draft of a new Law on Organic Production, which brings important changes for everyone involved in the organic production chain. One of the most significant changes is the regulation of group production. Under the new rules, processors will no longer be allowed to act as organizers of production or hold certificates on behalf of producer groups. According to the proposed changes, only producers organized as legal entities will be allowed to hold organic production certificates. For the first time, the law will establish a Register of Organic Producers, and all producers will be required to regularly report their activities to the relevant authorities. “The control system in organic production will be strengthened through official inspections, stricter preventive measures, and more detailed checks—this is one of the key improvements introduced by the new law,” the Ministry stated. Another important change is that certification bodies will now receive authorization for a period of four years, instead of the current one-year term. Producers will have 18 months to adapt and comply with the new legal requirements. The Ministry invites representatives from state institutions, organizations, associations, businesses, experts, and other interested parties to review the draft law and submit comments via the Ministry’s website.

Serbia seeks to establish world plum brandy day

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS), in collaboration with the Association of Brandy Producers, has launched an initiative to establish World Plum Brandy Day. The idea was introduced at the 18^th Belgrade Rakija Fest, which brought together more than 30 distilleries and producers of fruit brandy equipment to celebrate Serbia’s national drink. Veljko Jovanovic, Advisor to the President of the PKS, reminded attendees that three years ago, šljivovica (plum brandy) was added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, recognizing the traditional knowledge and techniques behind its production. Jovanović mentioned that several dates in December are being considered for the international observance, though the initiative is still in its early stages. "It's not so difficult to produce rakija. It’s much harder to market it in regions where it’s still unfamiliar," he said. "There are vast markets across Asia and the Americas where rakija is just beginning to be discovered. In some places, it’s still misunderstood or associated with lower-quality spirits." He pointed to the revival of Irish whiskey as inspiration, noting how it once nearly disappeared from the market but has since become a global competitor to Scotch whisky. "If we succeed in presenting rakija as a premium fruit distillate and not only from plums, even though that's where the story starts, then we truly have a shot at global success," Jovanovic added. Serbia currently exports about 2.500 tons of rakija annually, valued at approximately €16 mn, with over 1.000 registered producers.

Devastated cherry yields

Cherry production in Serbia has suffered a catastrophic blow this year, with frost destroying nearly 90% of the expected yield, Dnevnik reports. While Serbia typically produces up to 20.000 tons of cherries annually (primarily for fresh consumption) the current season has resulted in almost no harvest across orchards. Due to the spring frost, many trees are either entirely barren or bear minimal fruit. Though yields vary by variety, the common denominator is a drastically reduced crop. Even in modern orchards employing advanced cultivation techniques, the losses are severe. The varieties most commonly grown (Regina, Kordia, and Ferrovia) have been affected. According to Marijana Petrusic of AgriFeritKrop company, the Grey Star variety is currently being harvested, yielding only 800 to 900 grams per tree, compared to the normal average of 5 to 7 kilograms. The company employed various frost protection methods, including smoke fumigation, antifrost systems, and mist blowers, utilizing cutting-edge machines that disperse heat, smoke, and steam across plantations. However, these measures had limited impact due to the intensity and duration of the frost, which brought temperatures down to -8°C and lasted for 14 hours. Over the past five years, Serbia has maintained an average of 1.8 million fruit-bearing cherry trees. In regular seasons, average yields amount to 3.3 tons per hectare, which is significantly lower than the European average of 4.3 tons. Serbia contributes 2.7% to total European cherry production, ranking 11^th in Europe and 16^th globally, with a 2% share in worldwide production. Regionally, the highest concentration of cherry production is in the Belgrade area, accounting for 19.6% of Serbia's average output.