started · updated
Semberija plum farmers face labor shortages despite high wages
Plum orchard owners in the Semberija region of Bosnia and Herzegovina are facing a significant labor shortage during the current harvest season. Despite offering daily wages of up to 130 KM, along with provided transportation, breakfast, lunch, and snacks, finding workers remains a major challenge for farmers.
Savo Bakajlić, president of the Association of Farmers of Semberija and Majevica, noted that most available workers are currently students working during their break. While labor costs are high, the purchase price for plums remains low, ranging between 0.45 and 0.60 KM per kilogram. Additionally, heatwaves and droughts have impacted yields, causing some fruit to ripen prematurely and fall from trees.
In other parts of the region, such as Osinja, families continue traditional harvesting methods to produce high-quality plums for brandy production. Farmers report that despite weather-related challenges, some varieties like the Crvena Ranka are showing high sugar content, with measurements exceeding 20 Brix.
Entities
Association of Farmers of Semberija and Majevica · Dragiša Gojić · Osinja · Savo Bakajlić · Semberija
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The purchase price for plums ranges from 0.45 to 0.60 KM per kilogram. abcportal.info · www.vecernji.ba
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The sugar content of the Crvena Ranka plum variety was measured at over 20 Brix. www.derventacafe.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Plum orchard owners in Semberija are struggling to find pickers and collectors despite high daily wages. abcportal.info · www.vecernji.ba
- [● 2 SOURCES] Daily wages for plum picking in Semberija reach up to 130 KM. abcportal.info · www.vecernji.ba
- [● 2 SOURCES] Workers are provided with transportation and food. abcportal.info · www.vecernji.ba