Serbia has traditionally been among the world’s key producers and exporters of raspberries, primarily in the frozen products segment.

Our partners from the Serbian Fruit Research Institute in Čačak, who hosted representatives of our Association together with Ukrainian fruit and berry processors during a technological business tour to Serbia, have shared exclusively for the Ukrainian Berry Association (UBA) their analytical data and expert perspective on the situation in Serbia’s raspberry sector over recent years.

 Dr. Aleksandar Leposavić
Fruit Research Institute, Čačak

The period from the early 2000s to 2025 demonstrates not only phases of rapid growth in raspberry production in Serbia, but also the gradual accumulation of structural problems that today define the future prospects of the sector.

Over the past decades, raspberry production in Serbia has developed in a cyclical pattern. Peak years (2002, 2007, and certain seasons after 2015) were characterized by gross harvest volumes of 65–70 thousand tons or more. These figures firmly established Serbia’s reputation as one of the global leaders in the raspberry market.

However, after 2018–2020, production stability weakened. Increasing climate risks, ageing plantations, and problems with planting material led to significant fluctuations in yields. Expectations for 2024 - less than 50 thousand tons - have become a symbol of the sector’s transition from a phase of quantitative growth to a stage of uncertainty and rethinking of the production model.

Structure of the Production Base
In recent years, the actual raspberry production area is estimated at approximately 11,000 hectares, which differs from official data indicating that raspberries are grown on around 19,000 hectares in Serbia. However, the size of the planted area is increasingly less decisive for the final outcome. The key determining factors are the quality of plantations, the level of agronomic technologies applied, and the degree of adaptation to weather-related stresses.

Climate as a Systemic Risk Factor
One of the main drivers of production instability remains the high dependence on climatic conditions. Spring frosts, periods of extreme heat, and precipitation deficits directly affect both yield volumes and fruit quality. Under the new climate realities, traditional cultivation technologies are increasingly proving insufficient, forcing producers to reconsider approaches to irrigation, plant protection, and variety selection.

Planting Material and Variety Policy
A chronic challenge for Serbia’s raspberry sector remains the shortage of high-quality, certified planting material – a problem characteristic of most European countries. Ageing plantations, viral diseases, and limited access to modern varieties negatively affect productivity.

In response, the scientific community and industry institutions are focusing on:
• clonal selection and sanitation of existing varieties;
• breeding of new varieties adapted to climate change;
• development of versatile varieties suitable for different marketing channels, from processing to the fresh market.

Export Orientation and Market Context
Exports of frozen raspberries remain the backbone of Serbia’s raspberry sector. EU countries, particularly Germany, are key destination markets, and the share of Serbian raspberries in their imports serves as an indicator of the sector’s overall competitiveness.

At the same time, producers and exporters are increasingly feeling pressure from macroeconomic factors. According to 2025 data, one of the most serious challenges for exporters has been the high exchange rate of the Serbian dinar against the euro, which reduces export margins even amid relatively high global prices.

2025: “Two Opposing Situations”
According to Dr. Leposavić, the situation in Serbia’s raspberry sector in 2025 can be described as a combination of serious challenges and, at the same time, positive developments.

Challenging aspects:
• high production costs;
• currency risks for exporters;
• rising customer requirements without a proportional increase in producers’ incomes.

Positive trends:
• strict implementation of planting material certification schemes (EPPO 4/10, pre-basic and basic material);
• wider use of irrigation systems adapted to weather conditions and plant needs;
• introduction of clear harvesting protocols in line with customer requirements;
• strengthening of sanitary and hygienic control at all stages of production.

Quality, Safety, and Innovation
Special emphasis is placed on product quality and safety, given that raspberries are an important component of children’s nutrition. This necessitates strict compliance with standards, as well as the development of new products and processing technologies capable of creating added value and opening access to new markets.

Conclusions
The period up to 2025 has been a turning point for Serbia’s raspberry sector. The era of extensive growth, largely driven by expansion of planted areas and strong demand, is giving way to a phase in which quality, technology, certification, and economic resilience are decisive.

Serbia’s future competitiveness in the global raspberry market will depend on the sector’s ability to adapt to climate change, renew its varietal base, reduce production risks, and effectively respond to the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets.