Derventa farmer closes family dairy farm after 20 years

Mladen Jošić, a farmer from the village of Osinja near Derventa, has decided to close his family farm after 20 years of operation. The decision follows a severe economic downturn in the dairy sector, characterized by a fivefold decrease in milk prices since January.

In addition to falling prices, Jošić reported that a local dairy processor significantly reduced his milk purchase quota from 460 liters to 256 liters. This forced the farmer to dispose of surplus milk that he could no longer sell. Due to production costs exceeding earnings, Jošić is selling his remaining livestock, including 23 cows, to seek seasonal work in Austria.

While Jošić and his wife migrate for work, their three daughters will remain at the family property. The situation is cited as an example of the broader agricultural crisis facing farmers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.