Serbian Blueberry Producers Have High Expectations Due to Increasing Demand

Serbian blueberries have experienced a natural expansion in previous years. Blueberry plantations have expanded every year, reaching over 2,500 ha. In 2022, farmers expect a good yield and hope for higher prices. The sought-after price will be above USD 6.35/kg, given that last year's blueberry price averaged USD 4.97/kg throughout the season. The price increase is due to the hike in input costs such as fertilizers, which have increased by almost three times. Another factor that will push the prices up is the labor shortage. According to farmers, finding good workers is getting more difficult every year. All this can affect the potential growth of the cost of this fruit per kilogram.

  Source: TradeMap

Just ten years ago, blueberry plantations were rare in Serbia. However, due to the attractive prices of Serbian blueberries, the demand rose significantly in both Europe and Russia. As a result, the production of fresh blueberries has grown. The two major importing countries in 2021 were the Netherlands (USD 15.3M) and Russia (USD 4.3M). Over the past five years, exports to the Netherlands skyrocketed by more than ten times, while exports to Russia have decreased by 36.15% YoY. The significant growth in exports to the Netherlands was mainly due to re-exports. The developed trade network, professional repackaging, and the logistical strength of the Netherlands influenced the increase in blueberry exports from Serbia. Other countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland have recorded positive growth in importing fresh blueberries from Serbia.

As for the production itself, the most critical limiting factor in agro-ecological conditions for blueberries is the soil. It requires a ground that is not difficult, preferably as rich in organic matter as possible. Blueberries would be best suited for sandy soil rich in organic matter, which is scarce in Serbia. For successful production, adding a large amount of peat to the soil is necessary. Successful production of this fruit requires significant investments, which will pay off after a few years. Most assets go to planting blueberries because seedlings are extremely expensive. Also, it is necessary to invest in an irrigation system and anti-hail net because of climate conditions with frequent hail occurrence and dry springs.

For 2022, traders will rely on two major export markets. Expectations are that the Dutch import of Serbian blueberry will remain strong due to proximity and easier payment conditions. Exporting to Russia will highly depend on logistics issues and, most importantly, timely transportation, which will be vital to this year’s export. Blueberries cannot withstand delivery delays, which influences the quality and, most importantly, price.