In Serbia, the yields of apricots, peaches, cherries, early varieties of sour cherries and plums could be reduced by 30 to 90 percent this year due to late spring frosts and extremely low temperatures at the end of April, with some areas possibly experiencing a 100 percent loss, agro-analyst Goran Đaković stated today.
He told Tanjug that due to the smaller harvest, it is expected that the price of this fruit will be higher, and some quantities may need to be imported. Đaković also noted that apples and other fruits that were not in bloom during the April frosts will yield well, and their quality will be high.
The decline in this year’s fruit yields due to weather conditions is not only expected in Serbia but also in Bulgaria and Romania.
According to Đaković, it is estimated that North Macedonia will also experience a total loss of apple crops, as temperatures during the flowering period of this fruit dropped to minus eight degrees Celsius. Field images show that the blossoms were completely wilted. When asked about expected yields in Serbia’s field crops, Đaković said they would be standard, around five tons of wheat per hectare, while corn yields are yet to be determined as it is still the time for planting this crop.
Đaković believes that the appointment of Professor Dragan Glamočić as the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Serbia is a good choice because, as he said, Glamočić is a professional from the field.
“I hope that Glamočić will achieve results, especially in livestock production, where Serbia has seen a significant decline. I expect that the new minister will particularly contribute to this area in the upcoming period and that we will finally halt the decline in livestock production, reduce imports, and increase domestic production to offset imports,” Đaković said.
According to him, the priority for the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management in the near future should be resolving the issue of subsidies for farmers.
“What the new minister must urgently address is the payment of further subsidies, and to continue this payment process. I believe this will happen,” said the agricultural analyst. Đaković also added that the process of providing subsidized agricultural loans must be initiated, as these loans have been delayed significantly.
“I think one of the priorities for the new minister is to get this process started. I don’t know why there has been a delay—some blame the banks, others blame the ministry—but whatever the reason, the new minister must react urgently and resolve this issue so that we can continue with the season,” he concluded.
As he noted, agriculture is specific, and it is well known when each task needs to be done.
“Farmers cannot delay planting; it always happens in April. Whether it’s on the 1st, 15th, or 20th of April depends only on the weather conditions. Farmers had to acquire seeds and fertilizers, and I assume they have already borrowed significant amounts from commercial banks, which was unfavorable, so I sincerely hope they will at least be able to refinance these loans,” Đaković concluded, Tanjug reports.
