Cherry tomatoes: gardeners get staking tips as Balkan markets see price surge

Gardeners are advised to stake cherry tomato plants to keep stems upright, improve sunlight exposure, enhance airflow and reduce disease risk. Proper support can increase yields and allow denser planting, with recommendations such as using 2‑metre bamboo or metal stakes and tying plants every few days.

In markets across Bosnia and Herzegovina, cherry tomatoes are fetching record prices of up to €15 per kilogram, comparable to beef. Association president Pero Pušić explained the high cost stems from limited domestic production and the labour‑intensive harvest of the small fruits, despite the crop being technically easy to grow.