BANJALUKA, SARAJEVO – This year’s cherry season in Bosnia and Herzegovina is significantly more successful than last year’s, and producers point out that the yields are good despite the spring frosts that caused minor damage in some areas.
The President of the Association of Fruit Growers of the Republika Srpska, Dragoja Dojčinović, said that this year’s cherry crop surprised the producers, and that there are enough fruits of good quality on the market.
There are currently enough cherries for the domestic market
According to him, there are currently enough cherries for the domestic market, and the prices are much more affordable than last year.
“The cherry has positively surprised us this year. The crop is much better than last year, and the quality of the fruits is very good. We had enough rainfall in the period when it was necessary, so the fruits are large and of good quality,” said Dojčinović for “Nezavisne novine”.
Although some regions were affected by spring frosts, later varieties gave satisfactory yields, so there is no shortage of this fruit on the market.
Prices lower than last year
Dojčinović points out that prices are significantly lower than last year. In the markets, a kilogram of cherries can be bought for two to four marks, while producer prices are slightly higher.
“Last year, prices in certain periods reached between 20 and 30 KM per kilogram. This year, producer prices did not exceed seven to eight marks and only for a few days, after which they dropped to four to five marks,” he said.
He added that the costs of production and harvesting are still high, because one worker picks about 70 kilograms of cherries a day, while the daily wage with food and transportation is about 120 KM.
“The price of around four marks per kilogram is realistic and enables producers and retailers to make money, while the product remains accessible to customers,” said Dojčinović.
He emphasized that there are no problems with placement, and that all offered quantities are sold quickly.
“Everything that is harvested usually finds a buyer right away. The demand is good, and the most important thing is that the producers sell the goods and pay immediately,” pointed out Dojčinović.
According to his assessment, fruit growers can be satisfied with the harvest and sale of cherries this year, despite certain problems caused by weather conditions in certain areas.
A similar situation is noted by producers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The cherry crop in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is significantly better than last year, although the late spring frost caused some damage in some areas, said the president of the Association of Farmers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nedžad Bićo.
“There were parts where the late frost affected the crop, but this is insignificant compared to the areas where the cherry tree bore well. The situation is much better than last year,” said Bićo for “Nezavisne novine”.
He points out that this year a larger crop was recorded, which also had an impact on lower prices compared to last season.
“Last year, the price was better, but the crop was smaller. This year, we have a better crop and a lower price,” said Bićo.
According to him, the price of a kilogram of cherries ranges between five and seven marks, depending on the city and market.
“The price is from five to seven marks per kilogram. It depends from city to city and from market to market, but it is mostly within that range,” said Bićo.
He added that the producers are mostly satisfied with this year’s season, considering the significantly better yields compared to last year.
