Healthy food with minor investments - Organic production in Serbia at low level, production could triple

In the next few weeks, the Grujicic expect to get certificate for organic production.

- Since we provided all necessary documentation for these hens for a period of one year, we will now have the first control of the certification company where hens immediately enter the period of conversion which lasts for six weeks after which we get organic status – our collocutor says and adds that in the conversion period when the organic producer status is obtained, the entire production must be carried out in line with the Law on organic production which means that hens eat organic food and have adequate conditions.
(Herbal production in Osecina)

Apart from organic poultry production the Grujicic family deals with organic plant production in the Osecina village at an area of 4,5 ha..

In 2015, this Vajevo-based producer is planning to increase its farm capacities for 1000 hens. After that, they will reproduce chickens themselves and will focus production to organic eggs production. They are also planning to expand production lots for production of food for poultry as well as to hire new workers.

Grujicic says they do not have product sales problems because buyers are always willing to set aside funds for quality food.

Organic products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to EU market

Although the Grujicic were one step from contract signing with the City of Vajevo within cross-border project Eno Agri, the cooperation never happened because as Andra Savcic from the Directorate for agriculture of the City of Valjevo said for eKapija, they are yet to select producers from Valjevo region.

According to him, the city administration expects that 20-30 producers are selected instead of the first ten.

Unused potential

As Ivana Simic, msc.in organic production and secretary general at the Serbia Organica association says for eKapija, at the moment, development of organic production in Serbia is at the low level of potential and resources we have are taken into account.

Cattle breeding is poorly developed, our collocutor says, point out that it is partially because of the inappropriate support of the resource ministry (which is essential at least in the early stages of production – conversion period, when products still do not have added values as herbal origin products from conversion period) and absence of long-term developmental policy of this industrial branch. Processing capacities are also problem because there are no certified or dairies, Simic says.

How to get a certificate?

When it comes to conversion from conventional to organic production, Law and Regulation on organic production govern all conditions and all requests can be fulfilled and adapt during conversion period, our collocutor thinks.

The certification i.e. control period Period starts the moment an operator signs a contract with a control organization. As of that moment, a conversion period which lasts 2 to 3 years depending on production starts.

In 2014, 6 control organization food control and certification have been authorized.

Production could triple

During 2013, areas under organic agricultural production in Serbia increased by 32% compared to previous year and they totaled 8.228 ha, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce data showed.

These are already certified products or those in the certification process and the stated number of hectares does not comprise areas for collection of wild berry fruit, mushrooms and medical plants. It is, the SCC adds, because Serbia does not have an official methodolgy which can generate a data aon total atra where collection of all wild herbal kinds from nature is done.

In the conversion period, organic plant production areas totaled 5.041 ha while areas in organic status totaled 3.187 ha.

Cultivation production has the largest stake of 80%, including meadows and pastures. Fruit production with 28% areas follows and vegetables is produced on only 2% of area out of total area under organic production.

According to Ivana Simic, in the next 5 years, Serbia with the support of long-term developmental measures can at least triple current plant areas under organic production and that the number of animals increases also three times.

Irina Milosevic