Serbia: regenerative agriculture in focus

Supporting farmers in the transition to regenerative agriculture

Donau Soja, in collaboration with EIT Food, is implementing the project “EIT Food Regenerative Agriculture Programme” to empower agricultural producers in Serbia to adopt regenerative farming practices. Through hands-on training, tailored advisory support, and knowledge-sharing events, this three-year programme supports the transition towards more climate-resilient, economically viable, and sustainable agricultural systems at the farm level. The initiative contributes to addressing climate change, ensuring food supply security, and protecting arable land.

As part of this project, Donau Soja and EIT Food held the Regional Conference – “Ready for Climate Challenges: The Perspective of Regenerative Agriculture” in Novi Sad, Serbia. The event focused on sustainable and regenerative agriculture as key solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change while addressing the challenges of modern farming.

The conference gathered farmers, experts, researchers, and industry representatives from Serbia, the wider region, and across Europe (including France and Poland). Participants shared practical solutions and successful examples from arable and vegetable production, fruit growing, and viticulture. Special attention was given to innovative approaches that enhance long-term production resilience, soil health, and biodiversity, as well as the economic benefits of regenerative practices. Examples from Serbia and across Europe demonstrated that these practices are practical, adaptable, and scalable across different crops and farm sizes. Discussions also underlined the importance of knowledge exchange, financial incentives, and collaboration between farmers, policymakers, and the private sector, as well as the need for education and continuous advisory support to improve soil management and ensure long-term farm profitability.

The conference offered a valuable platform for sharing experiences and fostering partnerships that will support Serbia and the region in transitioning towards agriculture fully aligned with global sustainable development goals. 

Premium food for modest wallets

Serbia’s agricultural sector generates a trade surplus of €1.2 billion, yet citizens spend 45% more of their income on food than the European average. The gap exposes a structural weakness: while raw agricultural commodities are exported, value-added products remain limited, keeping domestic prices high. Experts argue that without investment in processing, branding, and marketing, Serbia risks remaining a raw-material exporter, while Italians, Croatians, Danes, Slovenians, and Czechs demonstrate how long-term strategies focused on quality and niche markets can transform economies.

Countries with similar starting points achieved global recognition and premium pricing by leveraging tradition, authenticity, and organic or protected products—sometimes over decades. Serbia possesses comparable advantages: unique regional varieties, rich culinary heritage, and proximity to EU markets. Analysts suggest that systematic support for processing infrastructure, marketing campaigns, and product certification could help Serbian farmers gain higher returns while making quality food more affordable at home.

Purchase of 369 tractors approved under IPARD III program

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Directorate for Agrarian Payments approved 369 tractor purchases under the IPARD III program, allocating RSD 2.69 billion in subsidies. Eligible farmers—including young farmers, organic producers, and those in mountainous areas—can receive 60–75% of investment costs.

Meanwhile, the Veterinary Directorate is reviewing applications for other equipment and mechanization. The final ranking list will be published after appeals, signaling a significant modernization push for Serbia’s agricultural sector.

Beans, a Serbian staple, now mostly imported from Kyrgyzstan

Beans, long a symbol of Serbian cuisine and a key ingredient in traditional dishes, are no longer widely grown domestically. Once a strategically important agricultural product, Serbia’s bean production has fallen dramatically over the decades.

According to agricultural analyst Branislav Gulan, the peak year was 1955, with 101,030 tons produced, enough to meet domestic demand and support exports. Today, beans are grown on just 7,000 hectares, with yields rarely exceeding one ton per hectare. By comparison, in 2019 Serbia produced only 9,027 tons.

The shortfall has forced Serbia to rely heavily on imports. In 2024 alone, the country spent €22.4 million on beans, mainly sourcing them from Kyrgyzstan (€10 million), Bulgaria (€3.7 million), Poland (€2.9 million), and Egypt (€2.5 million). Meanwhile, exports remain minimal at €3.5 million, primarily to neighboring countries, including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.

The imported varieties—large-grain white beans, mottled beans, and red beans—contrast with the types Serbia exports, mainly tetovac and high-quality large-grain white beans.

Experts warn that the decline in domestic bean production reflects broader issues in Serbian agriculture: without the ability to produce basic foodstuffs reliably, food security and economic sustainability are at risk.

More information

For more information on how Serbia is advancing its agricultural sector, you can contact the Netherlands Agricultural Network team at the Dutch Embassy in Serbia: bel-lvvn@minbuza.nl