Economic Aspects Of Plum Production In The Republic Of Serbia And Worldwide

Abstract

Plums are the predominant fruit crop in Serbia. In the period under consideration (2012–2021), the Serbian plum area accounted for, on average, 42.52 % of the total fruit area in the country, far surpassing all other fruit crops. The Republic of Serbia is one of the leading plum producers in the world. With an average annual plum production of 440.91 thousand tons, Serbia ranks third in the world (following only China and Romania), contributing 3.77% to the world’s total plum production. Nevertheless, the country faces challenges such as low yields per unit area, approximately 5.35 t/ha (FAO, 2023). Presently, the economic significance of plum production is not as high as in previous decades, and cultivation potential remains underutilized. To revitalize plum production in Serbia and reclaim its historical prominence, it is imperative to assess the current state of plum production both globally and regionally and implement appropriate measures to enhance economic performance in this traditional fruit sector.