Rising farm input costs, pressure on sunflower prices and extreme weather are shaping Serbia’s agricultural landscape, while the country’s growing food production and tourism markets continue to create new opportunities. Here are the latest developments across agriculture, food and related sectors.
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Energy and fertiliser costs push up farm input prices
Agricultural input prices in Serbia rose 2.5% year on year in Q2 2026, driven mainly by higher mineral fertiliser and energy costs, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). Fertiliser prices increased 14.6%, while energy costs rose 11%.
On a quarterly basis, input prices were 2.4% higher than in Q1, with fertilisers again recording the sharpest increase at 16.4%, followed by energy at 4.8%. The figures point to continued pressure on farmers’ production costs, particularly from fertiliser and energy. One more reason why the agriculture team at the Netherlands Embassy in Belgrade actively advocates for further development of alternative energy sources (like geothermal power in horticulture) and the use of more sustainable bio-fertilizers.
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Serbian farmers protest over sunflower purchase prices
Serbian sunflower growers protested on the Zrenjanin-Novi Sad road over an announced purchase price of around EUR 0.34/kg, arguing that it is below regional market levels and does not cover production costs. Farmers said the price is around EUR 0.14/kg lower than last year, while input and diesel costs have continued to rise.
The five-hour protest did not disrupt traffic, but farmers warned of further action. Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamočić acknowledged that the initial advance price was low, noting that offers of more than EUR 0.43/kg plus VAT (20%) were already emerging. He cited prices of around EUR 0.48–0.49/kg in Hungary and above EUR 0.51/kg in parts of the region.
The Ministry says its role is to facilitate dialogue and provide market information rather than set purchase prices.
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Wildfires ease in Serbia, but farmers urged not to burn crop residues
Wildfires across Serbia are gradually easing, but high temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds continue to keep fire risk high. The Deliblato Sands remain among the worst-affected areas, with 3,065 hectares burned, while two fire fronts are still active on Mount Stolovi near Kraljevo.
Since 5 August, more than 1,400 fires and explosions have been recorded across the country, requiring the mobilisation of firefighters, the Serbian Armed Forces, public utilities, volunteer brigades and other emergency services.
The Ministry of Agriculture is urging farmers not to burn stubble, crop residues or plant waste, warning that fires can quickly spread to crops, forests, machinery and buildings under current dry conditions. Open burning of stubble and plant residues is also prohibited by law and damages soil organic matter, microorganisms and fertility (not to mention the effect on air quality!).
Farmers are advised to chop and incorporate crop residues into the soil or use them for composting. The Ministry also stresses the importance of checking agricultural machinery and avoiding activities that could generate sparks while working in the fields.
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Serbia ranks sixth in Europe in ice cream production
Serbia produced 86 million litres of ice cream in 2025, ranking sixth in Europe, according to Eurostat data. Germany led with 608 million litres, followed by Italy (549 million), France (525 million), Spain (457 million) and Belgium (274 million).
According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, domestic production reached 53,010 tonnes, up 56% from 2020, when production stood at 33,818 tonnes. The difference between the production figures reflects the different measurement units and the air incorporated into ice cream: one litre weighs around 0.6 kg.
Strong production is also reflected in trade. Serbia exported 35,733 tonnes worth EUR 102.5 million in 2025, while imports stood at 12,116 tonnes worth EUR 46.6 million, generating an ice cream trade surplus of EUR 55.9 million. Bulgaria was the largest export market, followed by Greece, the UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.
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Pet-friendly accommodation expands in Serbia
Pet-friendly accommodation is becoming an increasingly visible segment of Serbia’s tourism market, with more hotels and private apartments catering to travellers with pets. According to Pet Friendly Hoteli, pet owners are a growing and loyal customer group, with positive experiences often translating into repeat bookings and strong online reviews. While it may seem like a small step, making accommodation more pet-friendly also contributes to better animal welfare and well-being, reflecting the growing attention to the humane treatment of animals, as demonstrated by the recently adopted EU Regulation
Pet stays typically incur an additional EUR 10–30 per day, or a one-off cleaning fee. Access to restaurants, pools, spas and children’s areas generally remains restricted, while a small number of more specialised “pet-centric” hotels offer greater access for pets.
The trend could also support longer tourism seasons, as travellers with pets tend to take trips throughout the year rather than concentrating exclusively on peak summer and winter periods.
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