Dairy and livestock producers in Balkans face crisis amid rising costs and imports

Dairy and livestock producers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are warning of a severe crisis driven by rising production costs and increased competition from imports. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, farmers report that the cost of fuel, fertilizer, and feed has made production increasingly unprofitable. The Association of Dairy Producers of Republika Srpska has called for a minimum purchase price of at least 70 feninga per liter, noting that some producers currently receive as little as 60 feninga.

In Serbia, the livestock sector is experiencing a long-term decline, with significant drops in pig and cattle populations. Producers highlight that while state subsidies exist, systemic issues such as delayed payments and a lack of predictable planning discourage investment. Additionally, experts and farmers point to the influx of cheap imported meat and milk as a major threat to domestic stability. There are calls for regulatory changes, including better definitions for fresh meat to prevent the import of frozen products nearing their expiration dates.