Serbian Raspberry Farms on the Brink: Harvest Shortens, Pickers Disappear, Prices Drop!
Welcome to the drama unfolding right before our eyes in Serbia’s raspberry sector — and guess what? Nobody seems to care! While raspberries in western Serbia are drying up and rotting, there are barely any pickers around, and daily wages have plummeted to a laughable 4,500 to 5,000 dinars. Yes, you read that right — the people who are supposed to pick the “red gold” are getting paid wages that barely cover basic expenses.
Raspberry Picking — The Job Nobody Wants
In the Kolubara district, where about 1,000 hectares of raspberries are grown, interest in picking jobs is at an all-time low. Hosts offer daily wages between 4,500 and 5,000 dinars, sometimes with meals or lodging, but it’s not attracting workers. Young people mostly come just to earn money for summer vacations, and many quit as soon as they realize how tough the job is. Without experience, raspberry picking is serious work, and many simply don’t return.
Bad Weather Wrecks the Crop
To make matters worse, this year’s crop was decimated by terrible weather. Early frost, heavy rains, and then scorching temperatures during harvest literally burned the fruit. Instead of the expected 60,000 to 80,000 tons of raspberries, producers got far less, and the quality is disastrous — small and tasteless berries. This is not just a quantity problem but a quality one, which will affect next year’s crop as well.
Raspberry Fields Shrinking, Government Silent
According to data, Serbia once had about 19,000 hectares under raspberries, but now that area has dropped below 8,000 hectares. Producers warn that if this continues, Serbia could lose its status as one of the world’s leading raspberry producers. While farmers battle nature and labor shortages, the government shows no serious willingness to help. Working groups and councils exist, but no solutions have been found — the problem only deepens.
What’s Next?
Many farmers plan to do the harvest themselves with help from relatives and friends because hiring pickers is becoming impossible. Market prices for raspberries are low, daily wages are small, and the work is hard. Without urgent and serious measures, Serbian raspberries will become just a memory of past pride and income.
Conclusion
Serbian raspberry farms are in a crisis unseen for decades. Bad climate, lack of pickers, low wages, and inadequate government support create a perfect storm for the sector’s collapse. If you love raspberries or have ever enjoyed their taste, it’s time to ask yourself — will we soon watch Serbian raspberries disappear from the market?
And you, dear readers, what do you think about this situation? Is this the end of an era or is there still hope for Serbian raspberries? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or tell a story from the raspberry fields — let’s see who else is caught in this red drama!
Facts in Numbers:
- Daily wages for pickers: 4,500 – 5,000 dinars
- Raspberry fields area: from 19,000 down to under 8,000 hectares
- Expected crop: instead of 60-80 thousand tons, much less
- Price per kilogram during harvest: about 600 dinars
Serbian raspberries are in trouble, and time is running out. Will we let the red gold become a thing of the past?
