Raspberry Producers to Protest Tuesday in Arilje: 'We Do Not Accept the 400 Dinar Purchase Price - It Is Humiliation'

Raspberry producers in Arilje, Serbia, are set to protest on Tuesday, July 7, at 12 p.m. in front of the Arilje Municipality building. The "Vilamet" Raspberry Producers Association called for the demonstration, stating their firm rejection of the offered purchase price of 400 dinars per kilogram.

"We do not accept the purchase price of 400 dinars. It is shameful, it is not an offer, it is a humiliation," the association declared in a statement. Producers point to increasing costs associated with growing raspberries, including rising labor expenses, while the price they receive for their work continues to decline.

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We do not accept the purchase price of 400 dinars. It is shameful, it is not an offer, it is a humiliation.

Mileta Pilčević, president of the "Vilamet" association, previously told reporters that last year's raspberry price ranged from 620 to 630 dinars, despite a reduced yield. He questioned the rationale behind this year's significantly lower price. "Why are producers blackmailed every year? This production depends on us, the primary producers, not on cold storage facilities, the ministry, or the state," Pilčević stated.

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Why are producers blackmailed every year? This production depends on us, the primary producers, not on cold storage facilities, the ministry, or the state.