Serbian farmers protest low grain prices; minister cites market forces

Farmers in the Serbian village of Aradac staged a protest today, expressing dissatisfaction with the low purchase prices for grains and what they perceive as the state's inadequate support for agricultural producers. While the protest did not involve blocking roads as initially threatened, participants warned of more radical actions if dialogue with state officials does not yield significant improvements.

Minister of Agriculture Dragan Glamočić addressed the concerns, noting that the market has already driven the price of sunflower up from an initial 40 dinars to over 50 dinars per kilogram, plus VAT. He acknowledged that while there is potential for further price increases, the final price is not yet set and will be heavily influenced by market dynamics, especially developments in Ukraine and Russia.

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I am trying and I have always said, I am not the one who wants to determine prices.

Glamočić emphasized that he does not wish to set prices, stating his ministry's role is to facilitate dialogue and provide information on foreign market trends. He pointed out that sunflower prices in Hungary are around 57-58 dinars, and higher regional prices often apply to specific high-oleic acid varieties not currently available in Serbia. The minister dismissed demands for a minimum price of 70 dinars as politically motivated, attributing them to a small minority seeking political promotion.

Regarding the impact of drought, Glamočić acknowledged regional variations, with areas south of the Sava and Danube rivers experiencing good rainfall and crops, while Vojvodina's corn crops were stunted. Despite this, he stated that the current year's harvest is better than the previous one and the five-year average, ensuring sufficient supply for domestic consumption and export. He also issued a warning about fire risks due to dry conditions and high winds.

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It is one minority that is trying to use this situation for their political promotion.