Mileta Pilčević, President of the Serbian raspberry producers’ association “Vilamet,” revealed that buyers have yet to pay for approximately 70% of the raspberries purchased, despite the harvest concluding a month ago. “About 70% of the raspberries sold have not been paid for, even though this year’s prices were the lowest in the past 15 years,” Pilčević told Beta.
He explained that the raspberry yield this year was significantly reduced due to frost and hail, and that the promised price of 240-250 dinars per kilogram fails to cover production costs.
Currently, frozen raspberries are being sold for 400 dinars per kilogram.
“I can’t even begin to calculate the extent of the loss, especially when our labor is undervalued and traders are aiming to profit 150 dinars per kilogram,” Pilčević said.
According to Pilčević, the Institute for Fruit Growing in Čačak has determined that, for a yield of 100 kilograms, the price needed to ensure profitability should be 250 dinars per kilogram. However, producers have barely managed yields of up to 70 kilograms per are. Pilčević also mentioned that they have requested meetings with Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and President Aleksandar Vučić but are still awaiting a response.
“We call on the state, buyers, and exporters to address the situation in the raspberry industry comprehensively and provide support to prevent the collapse of this sector, which directly or indirectly sustains 500,000 people,” Pilčević emphasized.
The association plans to hold a meeting soon to determine the next steps.
