Annually, Serbia produces around 245,000 tons of vegetables in greenhouses, another 400,000 tons in gardens for the own consumption of farmers or for sale in the green markets, and a million tons of vegetables are produced in open fields. This was stated at a professional gathering of vegetable growers on the topic of “Modern vegetable production.”
Serbia has, on average, about 110,000 hectares under vegetable production, and Serbian farmers grow approximately 41 vegetable species, of which 30 species are economically significant. Professor Zarko Ilin from the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad mentioned that Serbia produces more vegetables than it consumes, which is one million to 1.2 million tons, so a good part ends up in export. However, the professor mentioned that Serbia does not have enough so-called warm-loving vegetable species in the pre-winter and winter period and early spring, namely: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce, and therefore Serbia imports these vegetables from North Macedonia, Albania, Greece, and Turkey.
That import, he stated, could be replaced by greater production in greenhouses, especially suitable for farmers who have small holdings or live in urban areas. Vegetable production in covered areas in Serbia is taking place on about 2.500 ha only, although this production can be far more profitable for farmers than sowing cereals on dozens of hectares in open fields.
Mr. Slavko Petelj, a vegetable grower from Kula who has been producing vegetables in greenhouses for seven years, shared his experience at the professional gathering. He explained that the source of income lies in good organization and favorable market conditions, regardless of the competition. At the Petelj farm, the greenhouses are right next to the house, and the lettuce and spring onions were ripening in February and were followed by peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
“The whole family is involved in the business, all five members know exactly what their tasks and responsibilities are. With such an organization, we do not rely on seasonal workers, and we save money,” said Mr. Petelj. He noted that he usually sells his entire vegetable production at six markets in the vicinity of the farm: Kula, Vrbas, and Srbobran.
“These markets are close, we don’t need a lot of fuel to get to them. We have our customers, regardless of the fact that there are other vegetable growers in Kula and its surrounding villages who grow the same type of vegetables in greenhouses,” stated Mr. Petelj. An additional advantage of direct sale to the final customers, according to Mr. Petelj is that he does not need to deal with the “middle-man.”
