Current situation and future perspectives of fruit production in the Republic of Srpska

Abstract

Fruit production is a highly accumulative branch of agricultural production, which for its development requires large investments and a high level of narrowly specialized knowledge. In Republic of Srpska, there is a relatively long tradition of fruit production, especially in its northwestern part. The characteristics of the land on which fruit production takes places, and the prevailing climate conditions impose the need for significant capital investments in land preparation during orchard establishment and installation of accompanying facilities in the orchard that can ensure safe and efficient production during the period of exploitation. The production of planting material satisfies the needs of producers in quantities, but there is a need to innovate the production process by raising the level of nursery trees quality and introducing new varieties and rootstocks into production. The most economically important fruit species are plum, apple, pear and raspberry. According to their competitiveness in comparation to the surrounding countries and beyond, as well as export opportunities, plums and raspberries are of special importance. In the cultivation of plums, raspberries and partly apples, significant progress has been made in the growing technology and thus towards the realization of highly profitable production. Although significant initiatives are present, the cultivation of other fruit species in the Republic of Srpska does not have much economic significance at the moment. In Republic of Srpska, there are fruit producers who can be competitive in price and/or quality in the domestic, regional and European markets. Although not clearly defined in fruit production, the specialization of certain production regions can be observed (for raspberry or plum production). Further perspective of fruit growing development in Republic of Srpska depends on all participants in the sector and their understanding of changes, challenges and global trends, as well as understanding the position that fruit growing can and should have in economic and rural development. The extent to which the specialization of producers, and thus certain regions, will be realized in the coming period depends to a large extent on the strategic and long-term approach to planning the further development of this sector. The paper presents the basic characteristics of fruit production in the Republic of Srpska, with special reference to the economically most important fruit species and gives guidelines for possible further development of this sector.