The Serbian government has approved amendments to the Regulation on the Distribution of Incentives in Agriculture and Rural Development for 2024. Among these changes, it has been determined that a total of 655,900,000 dinars will be allocated for the preservation and enhancement of environmental and natural resources.
This substantial funding is allocated as follows:
- 450 million dinars for organic production:
- 250 million dinars for organic plant production
- 200 million dinars for organic livestock production
- 205.9 million dinars for the preservation of plant and animal genetic resources:
- 900,000 dinars for plant genetic resources
- 205 million dinars for animal genetic resources
The Serbian Chamber of Commerce reports approximately 7,000 organic food producers in the country. Data from 2020 indicates that about 19,255 hectares were dedicated to organic production. This sector encompasses various segments, including plant production and animal husbandry, with a particular emphasis on organic fruits and vegetables.
In Serbia, six certification bodies, authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture, provide certification services to producers. After a conversion period, which involves multiple checks and analyses, producers receive certification and are subject to regular inspections.
Branko Vukadinović, known for showcasing his organic products on the website “Let’s Go Back to the Village,” has previously shared that organic production is challenging and uncertain, with product durability being a significant issue. He noted that the most popular items among consumers are eggs, followed by vegetables, with meat being less in demand.
The study “Organic Production in Serbia 2020,” conducted by the organization Serbia Organica, highlights a steady increase in the number of organic producers over the past decade. It reveals that while a few producers have direct contracts with authorized control organizations, most are involved in group certification. This approach has proven successful and is primarily aimed at export markets. In 2019, there were 6,261 certified organic producers, with 534 holding certificates and 5,727 participating as subcontractors in the group certification system.
Growing organic production in the EU
In the European Union, organic farming is also on the rise. According to Eurostat, the area used for organic agricultural production reached 16.9 million hectares in 2022, up from 15.9 million hectares in 2021 and 14.7 million hectares in 2020. This represents approximately 10.5 percent of the total agricultural area in the EU. Between 2012 and 2022, the organic farming area expanded significantly across almost all EU countries, with Croatia (+306 percent), Portugal (+278 percent), and Bulgaria (+182 percent) seeing the most substantial growth.
