Raspberry producers gathered in the “Vilamet” association are facing serious problems due to the low purchase price and delayed payments. According to the president of the association, Mileta Pilčević, the deadline for payment of the collected raspberries expired on December 31, 2024, but many producers still have not received their money. At the meeting held on December 25 in Arilje, the producers requested that the purchasers determine in advance the minimum purchase price for the year 2025, so that they could plan the continuation or eventual suspension of production.
Pilčević pointed out that the minimum price of raspberries was always determined in advance during the past 50 years, except for 2022, when the market price was 600 dinars per kilogram, but buyers lowered the price to 500 dinars. This year, the purchase price was significantly lower, between 230 and 250 dinars per kilogram, which caused dissatisfaction among producers. Also, the dynamism of the payment further complicates the situation, because a significant part of the crop has not yet been paid.
The 2025 season does not bode well for raspberries
According to the customs documentation, the export price of raspberries shows continuous growth from August to October 2024, going from 370 to 450 dinars per kilogram. Currently, raspberries between cold stores in Arilje are sold at a price of about 430 dinars per kilogram, while buyers paid producers only 250 dinars per kilogram, with slight increases of 10 to 20 dinars.
Pilčević pointed to the problem of mismatch between prices and economic conditions. He reminded that in 2008, a raspberry cost 200 dinars. But the real value of that money was much higher than today. This has made it increasingly difficult for manufacturers to cover production costs.
Many producers are considering the cessation of raspberry growing, because the current conditions do not allow profitability. Pilčević stated that, if the situation does not improve, he will stop growing raspberries himself after this year. He pointed out that producers are often at the mercy of buyers, who owe them interest-free. At the same time, he says, the producers themselves are faced with sanctions in case of delay in their obligations to suppliers.
This situation highlights the necessity of reaching an agreement between producers and buyers, as well as better regulation of the market. This is the only way to preserve raspberry production in Serbia and protect the interests of all participants in this sector.
Source: Agronews
Source: boljazemlja.com
