April 20, 2009
Serbia's MY 2009-10 crop area seen at 3.2 million hectares
Total grains area planted for Serbia's marketing year (MY) 2009-10 is expected to be 3.2 million hectares wherein winter sowing has been done at 736,000 hectares, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Area planted for wheat in Serbia is estimated to be 600,000 hectares; 21 percent higher than the previous year while total wheat production is projected to be 2.2 million tonnes. Wheat prices in the Serbian market recorded highest value of US$445 per tonne in April and tumbled 64 percent over US$162 tonne in December last year.
The Serbian government announced several policy measures to support agriculture crop production that included: direct payment to registered farmers totaling about US$ 164 per hectares for filed crops planting, increased subsidies for animal husbandry as well as subsidized short-term loans with the maximum amount of US$ 9,600 and long-term loans with the maximum amount of US$ 400,000 at five percent interest rate provided through commercial banks.
For more of the USDA report, please click here.
