Serbian Raspberry Farming on the Brink of Collapse!
Imagine Serbia, once a giant in raspberry production, now losing the battle against nature and its own problems. Instead of harvesting 60 to 80 thousand tons of red gold, this year we have far less. And it’s not just the quantity that’s the problem – the quality of the fruit is catastrophic!
What happened to Serbian raspberries?
First, early frost damaged the fruits, then rainfall made things worse. As if that wasn’t enough, during the harvest period, temperatures soared so high that the fruits literally dried out and got damaged. Intense sun and a specific spectrum of radiation worsened the condition of the leaves, and the fruits are small and poor quality. Buyers are used to bigger, better raspberries, but this year they’re getting something completely different.
Climate change is to blame
Expert Dr. Aleksandar Leposavić clearly states that climate change is the main culprit behind this disaster. Serbia, which for decades was one of the world’s leading raspberry producers, is now on the verge of losing that position.
Raspberry fields shrinking drastically
According to data, Serbia used to have about 19 thousand hectares of raspberry fields, but in practice, that number has dropped below 8 thousand hectares and continues to decline. Without urgent solutions, Serbian raspberry farming may become just a pale shadow of its former glory.
Who’s to blame for this collapse?
It’s not just nature’s fault. The government and relevant institutions have not shown serious willingness to help. Working groups and councils exist, but there are no results. Buyers and exporters make pricing mistakes – either too high or too low – which further confuses the market. Marketing is at a low level, and pictures of Serbian raspberry fields often look like scenes from a bad disaster movie.
What does the future hold?
If this continues, Serbia will lose its status as a significant raspberry producer in the world. This is not just an economic problem but a blow to pride and tradition.
Will anyone finally act?
Urgent solutions are needed, involving all stakeholders in the raspberry business – from producers to buyers and the government. Without joint action, the red fever will turn into a black catastrophe.
Conclusion
Serbian raspberry farming is in deep crisis, and time is running out. Will we let nature and irresponsibility push us off the world raspberry map? Or will we wake up and save what has been built for decades?
If you have your own opinion or are perhaps a raspberry farmer fighting this crisis, drop a comment below. Let’s shake things up together – or at least have a laugh watching our raspberries disappear!
