“Prices for apples will be a bit lower than last year because of yields increasing,” said Julka Toskic, director of Delta Agrar. “But prices should go up in January.” With 350 hectares of apple orchards in Serbia, Delta Agrar is one of the country's larger producers of apples, with varieties like Gala, Braeburn, Modi, Kiku, Gold, Red Delicious and Granny Smith. Serbian apple production is slated to reach 250,000 tons this year which is 20 percent more than last year's haul.
Delta Agrar's production this year will reach 14,500 tons, thanks to an 82 ton per hectare average yield. Julka said they plan on exporting 80 percent of their apples, though they face the challenge of growing and buying enough fruit to supply all the markets in which they want to be active.
“Since we're present in Russia and Europe, our challenge is to open the Middle Eastern market,” said Julka. “We need to fulfill customer orders while at the same time increasing production to become a more respectable European business partner in order to be recognized as a top-quality apple supplier from Serbia.” In order to boost production, Delta Agrar has invested in a partnership with several Serbian growers to increase yields and production. The third phase of the partnership has seen Delta Agrar put together a 35 acre nursery with 750,000 plants.
“Now Serbian farmers can have quality apple trees from Serbia,” said Julka. “It will make intensive production less complicated than before.” The plants are grafted two-year-old Knip 7+. Delta Agrar expects most of plants to be available for European growers next year.
