Recent developments include improved access to the EU market for animal products, international recognition of Serbia’s raspberry industry, and growing concerns among livestock and dairy producers over market pressures linked to EU imports. Together, these trends highlight the evolving dynamics shaping one of Southeast Europe’s most important agricultural sectors.
Beeld: S.K.
Serbia added to EU list on use of veterinary medicines
Serbia has been included list of countries that meet the European Union’s new requirements on the use of antimicrobial veterinary medicines, allowing the country to continue exporting live animals and animal products to the EU without disruption once the new rules enter into force.
According to Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the new EU regulations are designed to combat antimicrobial resistance, one of the most significant public health challenges globally, by introducing stricter controls on the use of veterinary medicines in food production.
From 3 September 2026, exports of live animals and certain animal products to the EU will only be permitted from countries that can demonstrate a reliable system for monitoring antimicrobial use and compliance with EU standards. Serbia’s inclusion on the approved list confirms that its veterinary medicine control system, animal health measures, and food safety standards are recognized as aligned with EU requirements.
“This decision has direct significance for domestic producers and the food industry, as it ensures export certainty, preserves access to one of the most important foreign markets and further strengthens confidence in the quality and safety of products from Serbia,” said Serbian Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamočić.
Beeld: Unsplash
UNDP supports over 100 climate projects in Serbia
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported more than 100 sustainable development projects in Serbia through technical assistance and financing, while also urging stronger private sector involvement in climate action, emissions reduction, and adaptation.
Speaking at the presentation of the Nelt Group ESG report, UNDP Sustainable Development Specialist Žarko Petrović warned that Serbia and the wider region are approaching the critical 1.5°C warming threshold compared to pre-industrial levels, underscoring the need for faster investment in the green transition.
He noted that UNDP has helped mobilise around USD 56 million in private investments through USD 7 million in grants, supporting projects focused on energy efficiency, lower energy consumption, and pollution reduction, but stressed that public and donor funding alone is not sufficient.
Petrović called for a more stable regulatory framework, consistent enforcement, and stronger investment incentives, including grants, guarantees, and capital market development. He also highlighted an imbalance in global climate finance, with around 90 percent directed to mitigation and only 10 percent to adaptation.
He warned that Serbia’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme projects that, under severe climate scenarios, the country could lose up to 17 percent of its GDP by 2100.
Among key examples, UNDP highlighted Nelt Group’s geothermal heating and cooling investment, expected to reduce emissions by around 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifecycle.
EU imports put pressure on Serbia’s dairy and pig sectors
Serbian livestock and dairy producers are warning that falling pork and milk prices in the European Union are increasingly affecting the domestic market. Following a decline in Chinese demand, surplus pork from major EU producers, particularly Spain, is being redirected to regional markets, increasing pressure on Serbian farmers.
The impact is visible at farm level. Pig farmers currently receive only EUR 1.28–1.36 per kilogram of live weight, while production costs are estimated at approximately EUR 1.53 per kilogram, resulting in losses. In the dairy sector, raw milk prices range from EUR 0.30 to 0.47 per litre, while producers estimate that a sustainable price would be around EUR 0.60 per litre.
Producer organisations argue that Serbian farmers struggle to compete with larger EU production systems benefiting from economies of scale and higher subsidy levels. They also point to the lack of clear differentiation between imported and domestically produced products as an additional challenge for transparency in the market.
Despite lower farm-gate prices, retail prices remain relatively high, with pork selling for around EUR 6.80 per kilogram and long-life milk at approximately EUR 1.28 per litre. Producer associations are calling for clearer market rules and potential protective measures, warning of further pressure on domestic production if current trends continue.
Beeld: Illustration D.R.
From Serbia to the world: Arilje’s position as the global raspberry capital
The small town of Arilje in western Serbia has once again attracted international attention after being featured by the Associated Press as the country's renowned "raspberry capital." Despite having only around 17,000 inhabitants, the municipality accounts for approximately one-fifth of Serbia’s raspberry exports, with annual production typically ranging between 15,000 and 20,000 t. Serbian raspberries reach markets as far as the United States and Japan, while most frozen exports are destined for European food processors, bakeries, dairy producers, and retailers.
"We are born, live, and die with raspberries. Arilje is unique in the world. You cannot find a smaller place with such a high concentration of raspberry production," said Mileta Pilčević, head of the local raspberry growers' association.
The region’s hilly terrain and favorable climate provide ideal conditions for raspberry cultivation. Production remains highly labor-intensive, with berries hand-picked and plantations requiring continuous manual maintenance to preserve the quality, flavor, and aroma for which Serbian raspberries are known.
However, producers are facing increasing uncertainty. Extreme weather events, including last year's drought, are expected to reduce this season’s harvest by 20–30 percent. At the same time, growers continue to express concerns over volatile purchase prices and profitability.
Current purchase prices range between EUR 3.4–3.8 per kilogram, which producer organizations consider insufficient given strong international demand and tightening global supply. Frost damage in Poland, lower production in Chile, and ongoing disruptions in Ukraine have significantly reduced raspberry availability on the global market, while retail prices in major European markets such as Germany and France range from EUR 25 to EUR 40 per kilogram.
The situation highlights the growing challenge of maintaining a competitive and resilient raspberry sector in the face of climate change, labor shortages, and market volatility - issues that are increasingly relevant across Europe’s fruit value chains.
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