Serbia is grappling with substantial crop losses caused by an ongoing drought, which has led to a significant reduction in fruit and vegetable yields. Local media report that the drought has particularly impacted the corn harvest, with yields expected to fall by 16 to 20 percent. Agro-economic analyst Zarko Galetin indicated that this year’s corn yield is projected to be between 5 and 5.5 tons per hectare, compared to last year’s 7.2 tons per hectare.
Galetin estimates the total financial impact of the drought on Serbia’s fruit and vegetable crops could reach approximately $550 million, based on current market prices.
In response to the crisis, the Serbian government is investing $6.15 million in irrigation systems to bolster agricultural resilience. Petar Samolovac, assistant secretary for Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry in Vojvodina, highlighted the initiative as a key step in mitigating the effects of the drought and supporting the country’s agricultural sector.