World Food Day highlights regional production and security trends

In observance of World Food Day, various regional reports highlight the state of food security, production, and innovation across Southeast Europe. The theme “Innovate Today. Feed Tomorrow” emphasizes the role of technology in addressing global hunger, which affected 645 million people in 2025.

In Croatia, food production, imports, and exports have seen growth. Imports reached 5.62 billion euros, a 9% increase from the previous year, while exports rose to 3.08 billion euros. Domestic vegetable production also saw a significant increase, particularly in tomatoes.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, experts at a conference in Zenica discussed the challenges of food safety. While laboratory capacities are sufficient to ensure food is microbiologically correct, concerns remain regarding fragmented inspection systems, pesticides, and microplastics. The Food Safety Agency of BiH noted a lag in adopting updated EU food regulations since 2022.

Other regional activities include social support programs in Pirot, Serbia, providing meals to 450 users, and educational lectures in Pančevo regarding nutrition. In Montenegro, officials emphasized the need for supporting domestic producers and integrating science with agricultural practice to ensure long-term food security.