Serbian agriculture in focus: Blueberries, poultry, food rules and climate resilience

Blueberries strengthen Serbia’s fruit export story

Blueberries are emerging as one of the clearest success stories in Serbian fruit production, combining strong export potential with high market value . As the LAN Belgrade team noted in Serbia and Europe in 2026 | Agroberichten Buitenland, Serbia’s raspberry sector is under pressure from lower yields and stronger competition from rival exporters, making blueberries an important new source of strength in the country’s fruit export portfolio. 

Professor Zoran Keserović of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad says Serbia now ranks fourth in Europe in blueberry production, highlighting how quickly the crop has gained importance. He describes blueberries as one of the brightest spots in domestic agriculture, with the potential to become an even stronger export product in the years ahead.

That opportunity, however, comes with demanding production requirements. Successful blueberry growing depends on careful site selection, detailed soil and water analysis, high-quality planting material and precise production technology. Growers have little room for error, particularly when it comes to pH levels, carbonates and irrigation management.

This is also why blueberries remain highly profitable. On relatively small areas, producers can achieve strong returns, while export prices for top-quality fruit can reach EUR 7 to 8 per kilogram. Serbia also benefits from a favourable harvest window, entering the market in early June, just as production in Portugal is ending.

Keserović says Serbia has already adopted much of the modern technology needed for competitive production. The next step is to translate that technical progress into a stronger market position. With consistent quality and better branding, blueberries could further strengthen their place among Serbia’s most valuable fruit exports.

EU food rules could also push up prices in Serbia

New EU rules on food production, labelling and packaging could eventually translate into higher food prices in Serbia, even though most domestic producers are already largely aligned with European standards.

Nenad Budimović, Secretary of the Association of Stockbreeding and Livestock Product Processing at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, told RTS that the biggest pressures are likely to come from environmental requirements and packaging, while labelling changes should be less disruptive. One of the more visible shifts is that terms such as “bacon” or “steak” would no longer be allowed for products that do not contain meat.

According to Budimović, the main aim is to strengthen consumer protection, improve transparency across the supply chain and address imbalances between producers and large retail chains. For Serbian companies already exporting to the EU, the new rules should not cause major disruption. He says around 90 percent of operations are already in line with EU standards, with the main challenge ahead being investment in greener packaging and environmental compliance.

This is where costs could rise. A gradual move away from small plastic packaging towards more sustainable materials is expected to require additional spending, adding to pressures already coming from higher energy prices, more expensive fertilisers and transport disruptions. For Serbian consumers, that could mean further price increases in the food sector.

Poultry remains a stable pillar of Serbian livestock, with EU exports in sight

Poultry production remains one of the most stable segments of Serbia’s livestock sector, combining steady output, solid product quality and clear export potential. While its direct share in Serbia’s GDP remains modest, its importance for rural employment, food supply and regional trade is far greater.

According to Nenad Budimović (who is also featured in the previous item), the poultry sector generates between 10 and 15 percent of agriculture’s gross value added, or roughly EUR 350 to 500 million. The annual value of meat and egg production reaches EUR 500 to 600 million. Serbia produces around 141,000 tonnes of chicken meat and about 1.57 billion table eggs per year, enough to fully cover domestic demand.

Eggs remain the sector’s strongest export segment. In 2025, Serbia exported 193 million eggs worth EUR 16.7 million, while imports were minimal. Chicken meat exports reached 9,380 tonnes, worth EUR 20.7 million, almost matching import volumes. The main markets remain neighbouring countries, but Budimović says preparations for exports of eggs and poultry meat to the EU are in their final phase, which could mark an important step forward for the industry.

The sector is also a major employer, with 249 companies and between 10,000 and 12,000 direct jobs, rising to more than 20,000 when related activities are included. Still, profitability is under pressure. Total sector revenue increased slightly in 2024, but overall profit fell sharply, reflecting higher feed, energy and labour costs. Even so, poultry remains one of the most resilient parts of Serbian agriculture, with stable production and room for further growth.

EBRD backs Serbia’s climate resilience with Pambukovica dam project

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is supporting Serbia’s efforts to strengthen climate resilience and reduce flood risks through the construction of the Pambukovica dam, backed by a loan of up to EUR 66 million.

The project includes the construction and management of a multipurpose dam and reservoir near the village of Pambukovica in the Kolubara basin, an area frequently exposed to flooding. The dam is expected to play a key role in protecting local communities, homes, farmland and critical infrastructure in one of Serbia’s most vulnerable regions.

Designed as a modern, climate-resilient structure, the project is initially focused on flood retention and water flow regulation, while also creating conditions for the future development of an irrigation system. It is also expected to improve water management through sediment control, environmentally responsible flow regulation and better water quality, contributing to healthier river ecosystems and more sustainable land use across the wider basin.

Once the reservoir is in place, the project could support irrigation on more than 2,200 hectares of agricultural land, helping farms cope better with drought and increasingly unpredictable rainfall. According to the EBRD, which has invested more than EUR 10.8 billion in Serbia through 407 projects, the initiative fits into its broader support for the country’s long-term climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

Registration for the LVVN Attaché Network event is now open!

On Wednesday afternoon, 3 June 2026, the annual LVVN Attaché Network event will take place at the Rijtuigenloods in Amersfoort. You can find more information including the registration link on AgroberichtenBuitenland and LinkedIn.