Recent developments, from new government programmes and EU assessments to the country’s new agriculture strategy, the latest Green Book and the innovative Ekofungi model, highlight the sector’s changing priorities and opportunities.
Beeld: Ekofungi
Ekofungi: From waste to sustainable mushroom production
Ekofungi, a Serbian mushroom producer founded in 2003, combines science, innovation and the Blue Economy to turn locally available resources and agricultural waste into sustainable business opportunities.
The company developed an innovative plastic-tunnel cultivation system and its own substrate solutions for oyster mushrooms. Its circular production model connects mushroom growing with local organic agriculture, creating additional value from agricultural by-products. The company is recognised among the first 100 examples of the Blue Economy and has participated in EU-supported research projects, including Horizon 2020.
Knowledge-sharing is central to their work. Through the Ekofungi School, the company has trained people from more than 30 countries and supported the development of over 30 mushroom-growing businesses. Its expertise has also been shared in Africa, including through a project teaching young women mushroom cultivation as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.
Ekofungi has a long-standing Dutch scientific connection. Founder Ivanka Milenković worked at the Mushroom Experimental Station in Horst, then part of Wageningen University, in the early 1990s, collaborating on mushroom genetics, breeding and cultivation technology. Cooperation with Dutch researchers and companies has continued ever since, with Ekofungi openly sharing its innovative solutions and practical knowledge with Dutch partners. An excellent example of how knowledge exchange works two ways! This long-term exchange has helped shape the company’s core mission of bridging science and practical production.
During a recent visit, the LAN Belgrade team was impressed by the expertise, dedication and enthusiasm of Ekofungi’s team, as well as their hands-on approach to applying circular and sustainable production principles.
Beeld: Unsplash
Boost for 100% domestic food production
Serbia’s Government has approved a EUR 600,000 programme for 2026 supporting food products made entirely from domestic agricultural raw materials.
Proposed by the Ministry of Economy, the programme aims to increase the use of Serbian raw materials, strengthen domestic food processing and improve the competitiveness of Serbian products.
The measure complements the Ministry of Agriculture’s “100% from Serbia” label, which identifies products made exclusively from domestic inputs and aims to strengthen links between farmers and food processors.
The programme aims to keep more of the value generated by Serbia’s agricultural production within the country by encouraging domestic food processing. Greater use of domestic raw materials can generate higher added value, create more secure markets for farmers and strengthen the Serbian economy.
Beeld: Unsplash
EU finds progress in Serbia’s food safety controls
Serbia has significantly improved its official food safety controls for plant-based products, with controls at the primary production level now meeting EU standards, according to the European Commission’s draft report cited by Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture.
The assessment was carried out in 2026 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), focusing on controls aimed at preventing microbiological contamination. It covered farms, processing facilities and laboratories producing fresh and frozen berries and other soft fruit, as well as leafy green vegetables.
EU experts found that Serbia has an effective legal and institutional framework for official controls and microbiological risk management, including for food intended for the domestic market and EU export. The organization of competent authorities, laboratory reliability and sampling procedures were positively assessed, while Serbia’s RASFF system for responding to EU food safety notifications was also considered effective.
Controls at the primary production level for berries and other soft fruit were highlighted as significantly improved since the previous assessment and are now considered to meet EU standards.
The Commission nevertheless recommended further improvements, including specialised training for inspectors on microbiological risks in food processing and the full implementation of official controls in the processing of leafy green vegetables intended for export to the EU.
Serbia will submit comments on the draft report and prepare an action plan to implement the recommendations, with the aim of further strengthening consumer protection and facilitating agri-food exports to the EU.
Beeld: Branislav Đurđević’s family-owned farm in Pećinci
Serbia's Agriculture Strategy 2026- 2034 adopted
Relevant for Dutch (agri) entrepreneurs considering entering the Serbian market: Serbia’s Government has adopted the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for 2026–2034, setting priorities for food security, agri-food competitiveness and sustainable rural development.
A major focus is reforming agricultural support, with more public funding directed towards farm investment, modernisation, innovation and long-term sustainability. The Strategy also calls for a dedicated irrigation and drainage programme in response to increasing drought and weather risks, alongside climate-smart agriculture and integrated crop-livestock systems.
Other measures include stronger producer organisations, modernised farmers’ markets, a Food Ombudsman, and new market standards for fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs and poultry meat. The Strategy also aims to strengthen links between farmers, research and advisory services, including scholarships for children of agricultural producers studying agronomy, veterinary medicine and related fields.
The Strategy’s recognition of regenerative agriculture is a significant development. The LAN Belgrade team has advocated for the inclusion of regenerative agriculture in Serbia’s agricultural policy, highlighting its potential to improve soil health, strengthen farm resilience and support more sustainable production systems. Its inclusion in the Strategy provides an important policy basis for further development of regenerative practices in Serbia.
The Strategy also places greater emphasis on climate resilience, water management, innovation and stronger links between research, advisory services and farmers as key elements of the country’s agricultural development through 2034.
Beeld: Takovo
Statistical almanac published: the Green Book 2025
Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture has published the 13th edition of the Green Book, its annual report on the state and performance of the agricultural sector.
The report provides key data and trends for 2025, covering agricultural production, trade, farm economics, policy and the impact of climate change. It also includes a new focus on agricultural sustainability indicators, aligned with EU methodology and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Data are presented through 10-year time series, with 2025 results compared with both 2024 and the 2020–2024 average. The report draws on official Serbian statistics and administrative data, as well as European Commission and Eurostat sources.
The Green Book 2025 is currently available only in Serbian. The full report can be accessed via Green Book 2025 I and Green Book 2025 II.
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