Serbian Broom Production: A Dusty Business Conquering Europe and Fighting Challenges
Have you ever wondered how many brooms are made in Serbia and how valuable they are? Rastislav Đenđur from Bački Petrovac has been making brooms for two decades that are sold all over Europe. His company produces as many as 2,200 brooms daily! Yes, you read that right – two thousand two hundred brooms every single day!
Serbian Brooms Conquer Europe
Brooms from Bački Petrovac travel to Italy, Germany, France, Slovenia, and many other countries. Although the job looks simple, producing brooms from sorghum is a serious business. Serbia is one of the largest producers and exporters of brooms in Europe.
Dusty but Not Difficult Work
Workers at the Sirak plant first manually sort the sorghum, then skillfully sew the finished brooms. Despite the dusty environment, workers do not complain and say the job is not hard.
From Buying to Production
Initially, they only bought brooms from other producers, but due to high demand, they soon started their own production. Today, the company offers more than 50 different broom models tailored to customer needs.
Challenges and Problems
Although the business is doing well, rising costs and an overvalued dinar make operations tougher. The golden age of sorghum is over, and the areas under sorghum cultivation have significantly decreased compared to the 1970s. Most sorghum is grown in Vojvodina, but the plant is also cultivated in neighboring countries like Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Why Sorghum Brooms Still Matter?
Despite challenges, sorghum brooms still have their place in the market, especially in households with yards and animals, where plastic brooms cannot replace traditional ones.
Potential for the Future
Dr. Vladimir Sikora from the NS Seme Institute says that sorghum and broom production is still profitable, but capacities in Serbia are far below potential. There is potential, but investment and support are needed.
Conclusion
Serbian broom production is an example of how traditional crafts can survive and be competitive in the European market. However, to survive and thrive, producers face numerous challenges – from economic to market-related.
If you thought brooms were boring, think again! This dusty business hides a real fight for survival and success in a big market. So, do you have a favorite broom? Or maybe you know someone who makes brooms? Share your story, maybe your broom deserves to be a star!
