Sustainability, innovation and structural change in Serbia’s agri-food and environmental landscape

Lighthouse Farm Academy Lab highlights digital innovation in sustainable agriculture

Last week, LoginEKO hosted participants of the Lighthouse Farm Academy Lab, organized by Wageningen University & Research, bringing together researchers, students, consultants, and agricultural professionals from across Europe and beyond.

Using LoginEKO as a real-world case study, the programme demonstrated how data and digital technologies can scale sustainable agriculture. Participants explored a fully organic, livestock-free production system based on legumes, diverse crop rotations, conservation tillage, integrated weed management, and precision farming.

Field demonstrations included drones, weather stations, soil monitoring systems, digital scouting tools, and farm management software, illustrating how data-driven decision-making improves both productivity and sustainability. Key discussions focused on traceability, transparency, and the scalability of digital agriculture systems.

The event also included participation from Serbian agricultural media, supporting knowledge transfer into the local sector. The LAN Belgrade team supported the programme through networking activities, institutional representation of Dutch–Serbian agricultural cooperation, and participation in expert evaluation of innovation-driven solutions focused on value-added production and traceability.

The Lighthouse Farm Academy Lab highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between farmers, researchers, technology providers, and policymakers in shaping the next generation of sustainable farming systems.

Western Balkans delegation explores greenhouse innovation at GreenTech Amsterdam 2026

From 8–10 June 2026, the LAN Belgrade team, together with the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), hosted a small but dedicated Western Balkans delegation at GreenTech Amsterdam, the leading global trade fair for horticultural technology.

The initiative aimed to expose companies from Serbia and North Macedonia to the latest advances in greenhouse horticulture, sustainable production systems, and precision cultivation technologies, with a particular focus on geothermal energy as a renewable input for greenhouse production.

The programme also included a visit to Certhon, a leading Dutch greenhouse technology company, where participants gained direct insight into advanced climate control systems, energy-efficient greenhouse design, and high-tech production methods shaping the future of protected cultivation.

Beyond technology transfer, the visit positioned the Western Balkans as an emerging region for investment in greenhouse horticulture, creating space for new partnerships between Dutch technology providers and regional agribusinesses.

WOAH Appoints Kraljevo Veterinary Institute as world reference laboratory for lumpy skin disease

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has appointed the Veterinary Institute “Kraljevo” as the World Reference Laboratory for lumpy skin disease in cattle, Serbia’s first such designation.

The decision was adopted unanimously under Resolution No. 33 at the 93rd General Session in Paris, according to Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.

Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamočić emphasized that the recognition confirms Serbia’s scientific and institutional capacity and its standing within the global veterinary community. He also linked the appointment to Serbia’s successful control and eradication of lumpy skin disease a decade ago, highlighting the country’s demonstrated ability to respond effectively to major animal health threats, at a time when the disease is re-emerging in parts of Europe.

From meat to raspberries: Serbia’s changing agri-food trade

Serbia’s agri-food system has shifted significantly from its historical profile as a strong exporter of beef and pork. Today, livestock production has weakened, while imports of meat, milk, and dairy products continue to rise.

Exports remain heavily based on raw commodities, wheat, corn, soy, and sugar, with most value added outside the country. Processing capacity has declined sharply, particularly in Vojvodina (Bačka, northern Banat, Srem), where many fruit and vegetable processing facilities have closed or operate at minimal capacity.

Despite this, Serbia maintains strong niche positions in raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and frozen fruit, though predominantly exported as raw or semi-processed products. Vineyard area has declined from around 110,000 hectares in 1980’s to approximately 18,500 hectares today, despite the expansion of small, high-quality wineries.

The agri-food sector generates around €3 billion in exports annually, while imports exceed €2 billion, reflecting increasing reliance on imported processed food.

The key structural challenge is shifting from commodity exports to higher-value production through investment in processing, technology, and integrated supply chains. For agro-tech, this opens clear opportunities in controlled environment agriculture, cold chain infrastructure, post-harvest technologies, and automation systems that improve efficiency and export competitiveness.

More information

If you would like to know more about Serbia’s agri-food sector and opportunities in areas such as post-harvest handling, cold-chain development, and sustainable production, you can go to the country page of Serbia at this website. You can also send an e-mail to the LAN team at the Dutch Embassy in Belgrade: bel-lvvn@minbuza.nl.