Weekend Markets in Serbia: Vegetable and Fruit Prices in Belgrade vs Small Towns Are a Total Madness!
When the weekend hits, Serbian markets come alive like a food festival! Colorful stalls, local fruits and veggies, but… the prices? Oh boy, they are a drama! While in smaller towns like Vranje, Leskovac, and Čačak, a kilo of tomatoes might cost around 80 dinars, in Belgrade you’ll have to shell out up to 150 dinars for the same kilo! And that’s not all – onions in Vranje go for just 50 dinars, but in Belgrade, the price jumps to 120 dinars. Beans? In Belgrade, they are one of the priciest veggies, costing up to 250 dinars per kilo.
Why such a difference? Logistics, imported products, and stall costs in big cities push prices through the roof. Meanwhile, markets in smaller towns are often packed with fresh, local produce that gets to the stalls quickly and cheaply. In Belgrade, you’re often buying imported goods with higher prices and extra costs.
Shopping at the market is an adventure – come early because the first hour often has the best picks at the lowest prices. If you’re lazy, wait until the end of the day – sellers often drop prices on zucchinis, cucumbers, and tomatoes to avoid leftover stock.
But it’s not all bad! The weekend is perfect for planning your shopping, especially if you’re in the Serbian interior where prices for strawberries, peppers, and cucumbers can be up to half the price compared to the big cities. So if you want to save money, forget Belgrade and head to smaller towns!
And here’s a fact: only a country that produces enough food can feed its population independently. Serbia is trying, but prices still cause problems for many. So next time you hit the market, think – are you buying local and fresh, or paying more because of logistics and imports?
Do you have a favorite market where prices are fair and the selection is rich? Or have you given up on markets and switched to supermarkets? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s the real market-saving champ!
Key facts:
- Tomatoes in Belgrade: 120-150 din/kg
- Tomatoes in smaller towns: around 80 din/kg
- Onions in Belgrade: 120 din/kg
- Onions in Vranje: 50 din/kg
- Beans in Belgrade: 250 din/kg
- Price differences can be 2-3 times between Belgrade and smaller towns
- Weekend is the best time to shop due to variety and possible discounts
Source: Telegraf Biznis, Blic
Fun fact: Did you know markets in smaller towns can be up to 23 times cheaper than those in Belgrade? Who likes paying more for the same stuff?
Join the chat, maybe together we can find a way to make Belgrade markets more affordable! :)