Livestock production in Serbia is going through a deep crisis that threatens to destabilize the entire industry, with possible long-term consequences for agriculture, the food industry and the national economy. Key challenges include declining livestock numbers, rising feed prices and market uncertainty, which together make livestock production less and less sustainable.
The decline in the number of livestock in Serbia has been evident for several years and is primarily caused by unfavorable economic and market conditions. Many livestock farmers face unprofitable production costs, forcing them to close their farms. This situation threatens not only the producers but also the wider population, because livestock production plays a key role in the supply of meat and milk, basic food products. If this trend continues, the consequences will be felt in the domestic food market, which could become dependent on imports, which further burdens the economy.
Not an easy livestock dilemma
One of the most important problems is the drastic increase in animal feed prices. This change threatens the business of farms, as livestock farmers find it increasingly difficult to cover the basic costs of production. Given that animal feed is a major factor in production costs, its growth directly reduces the profitability and sustainability of animal husbandry. As a result, livestock production is declining, and the capacities of many farms remain underutilized.
The crisis in animal husbandry requires urgent and coordinated measures. It is crucial that the state, in cooperation with experts and livestock farmers, defines strategies that will enable the preservation of production. These include feed subsidies, investments in farm modernization and the creation of more favorable market conditions. In addition, it is necessary to increase awareness of the importance of the domestic livestock industry and encourage investments that will enable its survival and further development.
If the current problems are not resolved, a further drop in production is predicted. And this could lead to the loss of jobs, a decrease in domestic food production and an increase in market prices. Livestock breeders will need the help of the state in order to adapt to the new conditions and preserve their farms. Solving this crisis is not only a question of the survival of the sector, but also a question of food security and economic stability of Serbia.
Source: Farmer
Source: boljazemlja.com
