INTENSIVE BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Blueberry production is becoming increasingly intensive in the northwestern part of Republika Srpska. This year, producers expect a yield of around 40 tons. They are improving their knowledge by learning from experiences in Serbia.

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Over the past five years, with continuous education, the Kočić family from Romanovci near Gradiška has successfully expanded their plantation to 1.5 hectares with three blueberry varieties. They are satisfied with last year's yield and market placement.

"Last year was of good quality, allowing us to achieve yields of three to five kilograms per plant. Since our plants have now reached full fruiting, we expect to increase our yield this year," said Milana Kočić, a blueberry producer from Romanovci.

Domestic blueberry growers primarily draw positive experiences from Serbia, where interest in production is declining. The reasons for this, according to Professor Aleksandar Leposavić from the Fruit Growing Institute in Čačak, lie in excessive reliance on exports.

"Serbia exports over 90% of its production through re-export in the Netherlands, making it vulnerable to blackmail conditions, which prevents producers from achieving the prices they had in previous years," explains Aleksandar Leposavić from the Fruit Growing Institute in Čačak.

For now, local producers have managed to avoid the pitfalls faced by Serbian growers. In addition to training farmers, the GLS Agricultural Cluster organizes promotional campaigns aimed at increasing domestic market sales.

"We will make every effort to create synergy in introducing consumers to domestic blueberries and producers. We also aim to promote short supply chains, allowing buyers to contact producers directly or purchase from designated stores where producers supply their products," said Bojan Ćikić, manager of the GLS Agricultural Cluster.

According to data from the Agricultural Cluster, approximately five hectares of land in the Gradiška, Laktaši, and Srbac areas are currently under blueberry cultivation.