economy
February 16, 2026
The Paradox of Serbian Agriculture: Why Are Farmers in the Streets Despite Record Budget Allocations?
In recent years, Serbia has recorded record budget allocations for agriculture, but all data indicates that this sector is facing serious challenges that require systemic and expert solutions, not temporary fire-fighting measures.
TL;DR
- Serbia has seen record budget allocations for agriculture in recent years, yet the sector is in decline.
- The number of agricultural holdings has decreased by 10% since 2018, with the average farmer's age at 60.
- Livestock populations, particularly pigs and cattle, have significantly decreased compared to previous years.
- Farmers face issues like low purchase prices, market surpluses, uncontrolled imports, and the impact of climate change (droughts, frosts, hail).
- A lack of systemic solutions, delayed subsidies, and high costs for adaptation measures like irrigation and hail protection exacerbate the problems.
- Protests are ongoing due to these challenges, with farmers demanding systemic solutions rather than temporary fixes.
- There is a general distrust among farmers towards the government due to unfulfilled promises and a lack of a clear, long-term agricultural strategy.
Continue reading the original article