Serbia: Raspberry growers want advance payments for the purchase of fruit

Preparation work for the season begins on raspberry plantations in Serbia. After last year, growers want to protect themselves and expect advance payments for the purchase of fruit. Last year, the purchase price reached 600 dinars per kilogram, but only those growers who sold raspberries to large exporters at the beginning of the season received such a rate. The others got half as much, and some are still waiting for money from the freezer. In the season, the purchase price of raspberries was 500-600 dinars per kilogram. Later, it turned out that the price of the finished product - frozen raspberries - was too high and resulted in a decrease in the sales volume. A significant number of producers have not been paid, so small family farms, cooperatives and small freezers face bankruptcy. In order to avoid a similar situation this season, on March 15, raspberry growers will try to agree with the Ministry of Agriculture and processors advance payments for the purchase of raspberries. ...