Potentials of Apple Exports from the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

Serbia is a significant fruit producer in the region. The most important fruit species from the aspect of areas and realized production values ??are plums and apples. Also, from the aspect of the value of exports, apple is the second most important fruit product, after raspberries. The most important market for apple exports is the market of the Russian Federation, to which 85,45% of the total export of fresh apples has been exported on average in the last five years. Beside significant changes in production and exports, the domestic apple market is also characterized by certain problems in recent years. In that direction, this paper aims to consider the export positions of apples on the international market and the potential and limitations in production and foreign trade. Tendencies in production and foreign trade were analyzed and revealed comparative advantages were considered through an appropriate methodology. Having in mind that apple is a significant export product and that apple export, especially to the Russian market, is a driver of production development, it can be concluded that the development of apple production is a chance for the economic development of the region where apple production is concentrated, but also for the overall economy of Serbia.