STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN SERBIA – THE STATE AND PERSPECTIVES

This paper presents the state of strawberry production in Serbia and its perspectives. The annual strawberry production ranges from 30,000 to 35,000 t. Such production is realized on 5,000 ha with average yields of 3.7-5.5 t/ha. Growing technology is mainly conventional in the open field without using mulch foils and with large planting distances. Considering that, growing technology and assortment are out of date, and extended period of planting exploitation in which most of plants are often infected with different diseases are the main reasons for low strawberry yields and fruit quality. There are low prospects for quick recovery. Convenient agro-ecological conditions in the various parts of Serbia provide possibilities for the organization of strawberry production in extended period from April in flat areas to August in hilly-mountainous areas. In that way, we will become more competitive on the European market and reduce the share of the strawberry import in Serbia.