The raspberry harvest in the Zenica-Doboj canton, which for years has been considered the leader in the production of this fruit in Bosnia and Herzegovina, began ten days ago, while in higher areas the harvest is yet to come.
President of the Farmers’ Association ZDK Emir Tutnjić points out that the weather conditions this year are much more favorable than in previous seasons, which is already reflected in the quality and expected yields.
“The situation is better than last year. There was enough rain, the quality is good, and we expect a bigger crop and a better purchase,” Tutnjić said.
Unlike the previous two years, which were marked by high temperatures and drought, this year’s weather conditions enabled a better development of raspberry plantations throughout the canton.
An additional incentive for producers is the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture of the ZDK to reduce the minimum quantity required to obtain incentives from 700 to 500 kilograms per dulum of planting.
“This will enable a greater number of producers to exercise their right to incentives, and we also expect larger quantities of raspberries in purchases and in cold stores,” emphasized Tutnjić.
The purchase price for this year’s crop has not yet been officially determined. Last year, the advance price ranged between six and eight convertible marks per kilogram, while organically produced raspberries reached a price of 8.5 KM per kilogram.
Harvesting in certain parts of Žepč and other higher areas, where the plantations are located at an altitude of 700 to 800 meters, has yet to begin.
In addition to raspberries, producers in the ZDK area also grow blackberries, the harvest of which has not yet started, while producers generally sell smaller quantities of blueberries directly to the market without sending them to cold stores.
Farmers hope that a good season, with a favorable purchase price, could bring the long-awaited recovery of the berry fruit sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reports Black Chronicle.
