Potato processing in Serbia is 10 times less profitable than 3 years ago

In Serbia, ware potatoes are grown on approximately 25,000 hectares. The total harvest is 450,000 to 500,000 tons, while the average per capita consumption is about 50 kg, meaning the country needs about 250,000 tons for domestic consumption. Of the total harvest, 50,000 tons are used for processing. It is said that 18 companies are involved in the processing and canning of potatoes in Serbia. Investing in potato cultivation is expensive: the minimum investment is €5,000 per hectare. Due to insufficient storage, more than 70,000-80,000 tons of potatoes dry out and become unsuitable for further ...