California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • California’s Jennifer Fernandez-Hanf Among New Dairy Girl Network Board of Directors

    Dairy Girl Network (DGN), an organization offering programs and events supporting all women in dairy reaching across the nation, has welcomed three new dairywomen to the board of directors: Jennifer Fernandes-Hanf of California, Julie Patterson of New York and Lorilee Schultz of Illinois. Jennifer, Julie, and Lorilee recently joined the board which together with industry partners, allow DGN members to gain valuable connections, resources and shared experiences while supporting and encouraging fellow dairywomen.

    Jennifer Fernandes-Hanf was raised on her family dairy farm in Tulare County, Calif. She was active in her local 4-H and Jr. Holstein clubs and enjoyed raising replacement heifers, registered Holsteins and showing cattle. Jennifer earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Business Management from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Jennifer’s career has combined her passion for the dairy industry with her keen interest in software and technology. The bulk of her career was as IT Director for World Wide Sires, Ltd before she joined the Milc Group team in 2019. As Vice President of Product at Milc Group, she heads up the organization’s people management and employee training software products.

    Julie Patterson is an owner at Patterson Farms, Inc., alongside her husband, as sixth generation dairy and crop farmers in Cayuga County, NY. Julie’s responsibilities at Patterson Farms, Inc., include financial management, HR management, safety training, social media, outreach and workforce development. Julie attended Alfred State College and earned an associate degree in architectural engineering and worked in that field for a few years after graduating. After going back to school, Julie completed the Cornell Dairy Executive Program in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Julie serves on the NYS Dairy Promotion Order Board, on a cohort for the National Young Farmers Coalition and is involved in Workforce Development for agriculture in her community.

    Lorilee Schultz manages Mil-R-Mor Farm, in Orangeville, Ill. On the farm, some of her passions include developing deep pedigrees, producing high quality milk, and incorporating practices that improve soil health and increase biodiversity. She graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Agricultural Business and Economics. While in college, she enjoyed some terrific internships with Hoards Dairyman and the USDA Foreign Ag Service, but her love of cows brought her back to her grandparents’ farm. Lorilee is active in her local Holstein club, a YDLI graduate, and former president of the Holstein Foundation. She recently served as the chairperson for the National Milk Producers Federation Young Cooperators advisory council.

    The DGN Board of Directors is comprised of twelve voting members along with two advisory members. These individuals are elected representatives serving as dairy farmers and industry professionals. They oversee the overall execution of the organization’s mission. In building the organization and supporting dairywomen through connections, encouragement and inspiration, DGN is proud to continue to add to our board of directors with new leadership.

    Jennifer, Julie, and Lorilee join the current DGN Board of Directors who include Laura Daniels, founder and president, of Wisconsin; Rebecca Shaw, vice president, of Pennsylvania; LuAnn Troxel, financial officer, of Indiana; Carrie Mess of Wisconsin; Kristy Pagel of Wisconsin; Tami Smith of Pennsylvania; Mary Knigge of Washington DC; Julie Veldhuis of Idaho; Rosario Ibarra of Wisconsin. Advisors to the board include Leah Ziemba of Wisconsin and Dr. Kelly Reed of Washington. These individuals are advocates for advancing women within agriculture and are dedicated to the mission and vision of DGN.

    Learn more about the organization and the opportunities DGN offers at dairygirlnetwork.com. Membership is free for all dairywomen. If you are interested in becoming a member of DGN, go to https://dairygirlnetwork.com/join/.

    The Dairy Girl Network connects all women of the dairy industry, encouraging ideas and camaraderie in an effort to achieve personal and professional development. Designed as a welcoming network of passionate women involved in dairy, relationships will grow through shared experience, support and inspiration.

  • Almond Board Announces Exceptional 2024 Almond Leadership Class

    The Almond Board of California is proud to announce the Almond Leadership Program class of 2024, a group of 18 exceptional professionals expected to help lead the industry into the future.

    Bayer Crop Science has sponsored the Almond Leadership Program (ALP) for a number of years and is again the sponsor of this 2024 class of next-generation leaders who were chosen from more than 50 highly qualified applicants. They come from diverse backgrounds across the full range of the industry and include growers and processors, sales representatives, sustainability specialists, company executives, pest control advisors and more.

    ALP began in 2009 and has graduated 226 industry members. Dozens now serve on ABC workgroups, committees and even the Board of Directors.

    “We have had so many great participants through the years, and this 2024 class is simply outstanding,” said Rebecca Bailey, the ABC senior specialist who oversees ALP. “This program helps great people become great leaders and our industry continues to see the enormous benefits from 15 years of ALP. We have no doubt these 18 people will continue to be great assets and advocates for the almond industry.”

    Members of this 15th class – while still working at their jobs – will be immersed in every aspect of the industry, including ABC activities in global marketing, production, nutrition research, food safety and more. They’ll sharpen their communication skills and build lasting relationships with industry leaders, ABC staff and each other.

    “It’s crucial to be connected to people in all areas of the almond supply chain,” said Erik Stanek, a class member and sustainability specialist with Blue Diamond Growers. “Industry challenges are not solved in a silo. For me, ALP offers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships that can lead to actionable solutions. The program helps lift the entire industry.”

    Class members are guided by volunteer mentors – many of them ALP graduates – who will help them develop the skills, knowledge and perspective to improve their industry and their communities.

    “As a mentor, I have an opportunity to share what I’ve learned in the last 25 years as a farmer and a conservation biologist,” said mentor Christine Gemperle, a grower and member of ABC’s Board of Directors. “It’s my hope that the next generation of industry leaders can take that knowledge and grow an even better future for California almonds.”

    The leadership program will also offer class members thorough looks at the impacts on the industry of social, economic, environmental and regulatory issues. In addition, participants will take on a yearlong, self-directed project focused on improving the California almond industry. Some past projects have led to important breakthroughs for the industry.

    Leadership class members kicked off their training with a two-day orientation at the ABC offices in Modesto, which included one-on-one talks with their mentors and hearing from Board of Directors Chair Alexi Rodriguez and ABC CEO Clarice Turner.

    “The leadership program has been incredibly enriching so far. I’ve been introduced to so many fascinating topics beyond my usual scope of work,” said Ziv Attia, part of the 2024 class and head of agronomy at Phytech. “Besides that, the staff and program members are amazing, and I look forward to getting to know them better, gaining further insights and building lasting connections that will contribute to the almond industry’s growth.”

    Once again, class members will raise money for California FFA, pledging to raise more than $25,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college. Through the years, ALP has raised more than $320,000 for FFA.

    The 2024 Almond Leadership class members are Ziv Attia of Bakersfield and Phytech; Andy Barahate of Kerman andCentral California Almond Growers Association; Gurajan Brar of Madera and Brar & Son Farms; Matthew Brocato of Fresno and Phytech; Mark Cavallero of Madera and Sierra Valley Almonds; Zachary Days of Patterson and Cal Coast Almond Processing Inc.; Mallory Dodds of Fresno and Gowan USA; Ryan Hackett of Modesto and Gold Leaf Farming; Brandon Heinrich of Modesto and B&M Orchards; Amanda Hernandez of Hollister and TriCal Inc.; Victoria Lee of Sacramento and Blue Diamond Growers; Sutter Long of Corning and Bayer Crop Science; Antonio Lopez of Woodland and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation; Ryan McCoon of Escalon and Cultiva; Edgar Perez of Modesto andAmerican AgCredit; Jeevan Sandhu of Yuba City and Wilbur Ellis; Erik Stanek of Sacramento and Blue Diamond Growers; and Delaney Woolwine of Fresno and Harris Woolf California Almonds.

    About California Almonds

    Almonds from California are a healthy, natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds with a research-based approach to responsible farming, production and marketing on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom have third- and fourth-generation family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, ABC is a non-profit organization administering a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the USDA. For more information on ABC or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.

  • A Rewarding Showcase of Skill and Determination at the Napa County Pruning Contest

    The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) celebrated its 22nd Annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 3.  It was a perfect day as 113 contestants displayed exceptional skill and determination in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals. Scoring for the competition is weighted for technique and quality, allowing contestants to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape-growing.

    During the main event, each of the contestants pruned five vines in the day’s preliminary competition.  Those with the highest scores went on to the final round, which produced the winners: 4 in the women’s division and 4 in the men’s division.  The winners took home a generous collection of gifts, which included cash, pruning tools, Napa Valley wine, gift cards from Silicon Valley Bank and Sunbelt Rentals; and a handmade silver belt buckle from Max Lang Belt and Buckles and a FELCO champions jacket was given to the 1st place winners.  Employers typically match the cash prize winnings, so the day was highly rewarding for the top 8 finalists.

    An outstanding display of talent this year was Ana Mejia from Trefethen Family Vineyards. In 2023 she competed in the women’s division and took third place. However, she returned this year determined to advance. “I came [to the 2024 competition] with more confidence and purpose,” said Mejia, “I wanted to demonstrate that women are also able to compete.” Mejia proudly took first place in this year’s competition, taking to the podium with a smile from ear-to-ear.

    Adding to this year’s energy was local radio DJ Gabriela Fernandez of MegaMix, who broadcast live from the event grounds. She interviewed Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation leadership, finalists, and long-time sponsors, like Antonio Zamora from A&J Vineyard Supply, who said, “As a business that provides the Napa Valley with high-quality vineyard supplies, we see the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation as an asset to the grape-growing community, and one that aligns with our values. Adding, too, that sponsoring their Napa County Pruning Contest is a great opportunity to connect with those we support – from farmworkers to grape growers. If it wasn’t for the dedicated, expert talent tending to the local vineyards, the Napa Valley wouldn’t be what it is today.”

    Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Vice President of the Board, Arnulfo Solorio (center), reviewing the competition’s rules and scoring. Photo by Chrome Visual Co.
    Guadalupe Soriano, first place finisher in the men’s division, razor-focused on making precise cuts. Photo by Chrome Visual Co.

    Competitors are Napa County farmworkers and full-time employees. All farmworkers who work in Napa County are eligible to compete.

    Winners received:

    1st Place: $1,550 in cash and gifts cards, a custom belt buckle, FELCO champions jacket, Vineyard Industry Products tools and supplies, Central Valley tools and supplies, and wine from Bazán Cellars
    2nd Place: $1,075 in cash and gifts cards, Central Valley tools and supplies, and wine from Bazán Cellars
    3rd Place: $800 in cash and gifts cards, Central Valley tools and supplies, and wine from Larkmead Vineyards
    4th Place: $550 in cash and gifts cards, Central Valley tools and supplies, and wine from Bazán Cellars
    All contestants received a black leather pruning shear holster from FELCO.
     
    Women’s Division Winners:
    1st Place: Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards
    2nd Place: Rubi Reyes Hernandez, Gonzalez Vineyard Management
    3rd Place: Guadalupe Gutierrez, Renteria Vineyard Management
    4th Place: Cristina Arroyo, Renteria Vineyard Management
     
    Men’s Division Winners:
    1st Place: Guadalupe Soriano, Atlas Vineyard Management
    2nd Place: Benjamin Marron, Bettinelli Vineyards
    3rd Place: Julio Alonso, Hardin Vineyard Management
    4th Place: Jesús Sánchez, Renteria Vineyard Management

    Support for this event was provided by sponsors Nemerever Vineyards, Silicon Valley Bank, Central Valley Ag Supplies, FELCO, Duarte Trees & Vines, Sunbelt Rentals, Ag Health Benefits Alliance, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, Jaguar Farm Labor Contracting, Brotemarkle Davis & Co, Malloy Imrie & Vasconi Insurance Services, Pearls Farm Labor, Renteria Vineyard Management, Sunridge Nurseries, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Jim’s Supply Co., Garton Tractor, Taddei Vineyards, Gonzalez Vineyard Management, Vineyard Industry Products, A&J Vineyard Supply, Green Valley Tractor, and our partner in health, OLE Health.

    Thank you to the Napa Valley community members who served on the Napa County Pruning Contest Committee: Gustavo Aviña, Brianna Beighle, Pam Bond, Garrett Buckland, Chad Clark, Roberto Juarez, Joe Nasharr, Hayden Schmidter, Kendall Smith, Anulfo Solorio, Macy Stubstad and to all the wine industry volunteers who came out to support the event.

    About the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

    Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the mission of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is the only one of its kind in the United States, providing complimentary educational opportunities, advanced training programs, leadership and management classes, English literacy programs, and much more. To date, the Farmworker Foundation has offered education and professional development opportunities to more than 23,000 vineyard workers and their families. For more information, visit Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

  • Applications Now Open for Children of Vineyard & Winery Workers Scholarship

    The Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship, a program designed to support the children of California’s vineyard and winery workers in their pursuit of higher education, is now accepting applications for the upcoming academic year.

    Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in junior college, four-year universities, or trade schools. Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian must be employed or contracted by the California vineyard and winery industry.

    Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and a commitment to their community. Multi-year scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $6,000 per student per year. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability.

    This scholarship does more than alleviate the financial burden of higher education. The program makes a unique investment in a dedicated Scholarship Mentor who is resource to the students throughout their collegiate career.

    In the May 5, 2023 newsletter, the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) stated, “… we know scholarship dollars alone are not enough. Scholarship providers have a unique opportunity to positively impact student success by also investing in support services that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally… Students who receive these services are more likely to remain engaged and enrolled, ultimately increasing their chances of graduating and achieving their goals.”

    Multi-year recipient Evelyn says, “There is no doubt that being a recipient of the Scholarship has helped me to get where I am today. It has not only made a significant difference in financially supporting my educational journey, but it has also opened up so many doors through which I was able to begin my career in viticulture.

    Applications are due by March 31, 2024, and recipients will be notified by mid-May 2024. To learn more about the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship and to apply, please visit www.vineyardteam.org/jnms/apply.

    About Vineyard Team

    Arising from growers’ interest to educate and guide themselves towards sustainable winegrowing practices, Vineyard Team has become an internationally recognized leader in the sustainability movement since 1994.

    Not only has the organization influenced sustainability initiatives within the winegrowing community, Vineyard Team programs have influenced efforts in other crops as well. Recognized by governmental, environmental, and community organizations, Vineyard Team’s sustainable winegrowing programs are always leading the way in innovation.  Visit www.VineyardTeam.org for more information.

  • California Olive Oil Council to Host First In-Person Annual Meeting Since 2019

    The California Olive Oil Council (COOC) prepares for its first in-person Annual Member Meeting since 2019. The meeting will occur March 15 – 17, 2024, in Monterey, California. The two-day event will feature presentations from leaders in the industry and industry affiliates as they discuss critical regulatory and research updates, recent marketing efforts, and the momentum of California’s extra virgin olive oil landscape. The event will create a space for industry members to discuss current best practices and opportunities for every level in the production process. The California Olive Oil Council will also announce the Gold and Silver medalists of the annual COOC Olive Oil Competition.

    The California Olive Oil Council warmly invites all members to attend this event and extends the invitation to anyone interested in the California Olive Oil industry. For pricing and reservation details, please visit the registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cooc-annual-member-meeting-tickets-808228020767. Please register for the event and reserve accommodations on or before Wednesday, February 7, 2024, for early-bird rates. Tickets are priced at $600 per ticket, which includes admission to all panels, seminars, and events offered, and $300 for every additional ticket purchased.

    The California Olive Oil Council is a trade association dedicated to promoting certified California extra virgin olive oil through education, outreach, and communication. The COOC is committed to upholding the highest standards within the olive oil industry through its Seal Certification Program.

  • Ag Council of California Welcomes Intern Lauren Spellman

    The Ag Council of California is pleased to welcome a new intern to the team, Lauren Spellman. Lauren grew up in Corcoran, California where her father farms cotton, tomatoes, and pistachios. She is a junior at the University of California, Davis studying environmental science and management with an emphasis in watershed science.

    After graduation, she plans on becoming an environmental consultant or an environmental compliance specialist in the agricultural sector. Most recently, Lauren worked at J.G. Boswell as an environmental compliance intern.

    “I am thrilled to be joining Ag Council’s incredible team. I look forward to helping tackle legislative and regulatory issues that impact California’s agricultural community,” Lauren said.

    Ag Council President Emily Rooney said, “Lauren hit the ground running during her first few weeks and is working on various projects. We are happy to have her join us during our busy winter and spring meetings and events and to gain experience at an advocacy-focused trade association.”

    Ag Council members will have the opportunity to meet Lauren at their 105th Annual Meeting in March. More information about the meeting is available HERE.

  • Growers Encouraged to Attend February California Avocado Commission Board Meeting

    The California Avocado Commission will host its next Board meeting on February 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in Ventura County. The meeting will provide California avocado growers with the opportunity to engage with CAC staff and Board, and receive updates on Commission operations, including marketing and industry activities. Growers can attend the meeting in person at the United Water Conservation District, 1701 North Lombard Street, Suite 200, Oxnard, CA. Growers also have the option of attending the meeting virtually.

    The agenda will be posted on CAC’s grower website 10 days prior to the meeting at the following link: https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com/commission/meeting-agendas-minutes.

    The California Avocado Commission’s Board of Directors also currently has a Handler Member and Handler Alternate Member seat available. Appointees will fill the vacant seats for the remainder of their unexpired terms: October 31, 2024 for the Member seat and October 31, 2025 for the Alternate Member.

    Interested parties should complete the candidate form available in the right-hand navigation and return it to the Commission by February 15. The form may be faxed to 949.208.3503, emailed to aaymami@avocado.org or mailed to 12 Mauchly, Suite L, Irvine, CA 92618-6305.

    To be eligible, candidates must:

    • Certify they have a financial interest in handling avocados for market via ownership, employment or membership in a legal entity engaged in the handling of avocados; and handles no less than 1% of the total industry volume of avocados in the preceding marketing year
    • Demonstrate direct involvement in the selling, marketing, distributing, receiving, grading, packing, canning, extracting, preserving, grinding, crushing or changing the form of California avocados to prepare them for market
    • Have ultimate control over handling California avocados and liability for reporting and payment of CAC assessments

    The vacancies will be filled by majority vote of the CAC Board during a meeting held on February 22.

  • USDA Temporarily Suspends Continuance Referendum Requirement for California Raisins

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the temporary suspension of the continuance referendum requirement under the federal marketing order regulating the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California.

    This action suspends the continuance referendum requirement while USDA conducts formal rulemaking to amend the marketing order. The suspension will remain in place until Nov. 26, 2029.

    The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 23, 2024. An interim final rule was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 16, 2023. AMS received one comment in support of the rule. Accordingly, no changes were made from the interim final rule to the final rule published.

    More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California is available on the 989 raisins webpage on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.

    Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to fruit, vegetable and specialty crops marketing orders and agreements to help ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

  • Public Hearing in February on Proposed Amendments to California Raisins Marketing Order

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order for California raisins Feb. 13-14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT at the Raisin Administrative Committee offices in Fresno, California.

    The committee, which locally administers the marketing order, recommended the following amendments:

    • Reduce membership from 47 to 21.
    • Eliminate the designated cooperative bargaining association member seat.
    • Lower quorum requirements from 25 to 14.
    • Remove producer district representation.
    • Remove the requirement for separate member and alternate nominations for independent or small cooperative producers.
    • Remove two factors for establishing marketing policy.
    • Add language to clarify the quality of reconditioned raisins.
    • Add authority to accept voluntary contributions.
    • Add language regarding ownership of intellectual property.

    The hearing will continue, if necessary, until all amendments have been addressed. USDA will conduct a producer referendum if the hearing record favors the proposed amendments.

    The hearing will provide all interested persons an opportunity to speak in support of or in opposition to the proposals and for USDA to receive such evidence on the record. People may also file briefs after the hearing, and file exceptions to any recommended decision that may be issued.

    All attendees are required to make a notice of appearance on the record. All persons wishing to submit written material as evidence at the hearing should be prepared to submit multiples copies of such material during the hearing.

    Hearing details:

    Date:               Feb. 13-14, 2024

    Time:              9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT

    Location:        Raisin Administrative Committee offices

    2445 Capitol Street, Suite 200, Fresno, California

    The hearing notice was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 12, 2024.  Copies may be obtained from Christy Pankey, Marketing Specialist, or Matthew Pavone, Chief, Rulemaking Services Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-8085, or Email: Christy.Pankey@usda.gov or Matthew.Pavone@usda.gov.

    Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to fruit, vegetable and specialty crops marketing orders to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

  • Opportunities to Grow Tree Nut & Wine Exports in Serbia

    Serbia offers good opportunities for the U.S. exporters of consumer-oriented agriculture products. From January-October 2023, total U.S. exports of agriculture products to Serbia reached $22.6 million, an increase of about 16 percent compared to the same period in 2022. The most significant commodities traded were almonds, whiskey, bourbon, tobacco, sweet potato, pistachios, peanuts, vegetable planting seeds, pet food, cranberries, juices and extracts from hops, wine, dietetic foods, concentrated proteins, snacks food, fish, and seafood products. This report provides U.S. food and agriculture exporters with background information and suggestions for entering the Serbian market. The statistical data are as of October 2023.

    The World Bank (WB) ranks Serbia as an upper middle-income economy based on the Gross National Income per capita of the previous year (2023). Serbia is ranked 35th among the 39 countries in Europe. Moreover, the International Monetary Fund projected real GDP change at 2 percent in 2023. The total GDP is projected at $75 billion. Serbia is a developing country with a vibrant agriculture and food industry which contribute to almost 10 percent of total GDP. In 2023, the average annual inflation rate is expected to be 8.5 percent. Serbia has Free Trade Agreements with the European Union (EU), Turkey, and the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan). It is also a signatory to the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). January-October 2023 Serbia’s total agri-food exports reached a value of $4.1 billion, a decrease of 8 percent from the same period in 2022. The total agriculture imports in 2022 were valued at $2.9 billion, a decrease of 3 percent compared to the same period in 2022 with a registered $1.2 billion surplus.

    In the January-October 2023 period, agri-food imports were $2.9 billion, a 3 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2022. Over 60 percent of imports come from the EU member states, while 30 percent come from the CEFTA member countries. The total U.S. agri-food exports to Serbia for the January-October 2023 period were valued at $22.6 million, with an increase of about 16 percent compared to 2022. One major obstacle to increasing the U.S. market share in Serbia a is 30 percent customs import tax on most agri-food products, compared to zero import taxes for products from countries with whom Serbia has signed FTAs (about 90 percent of Serbian trade partners). Essential commodities imported from the U.S. include almonds ($4.9M), whiskey bourbon ($3.5), consumer products ($2.6M), pistachios ($2.5M), tobacco ($1.4M), peanuts ($860,000), baby food ($605,000), vegetable seed ($580,000) and hake ($520,000).

    Serbia is the largest agricultural market in the Western Balkans, with strong agricultural production and food processing tradition. Serbia is a global leader in the production of non-GMO corn and raspberries. The food processing industry accounts for approximately one-third of Serbia’s processingindustry. Over 20,000 food businesses are operational, and about 90 percent are micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises. This industry employs more than 120,000 people and is a rare example of a sector that has not been hit adversely by the economic crisis during COVID-19 pandemic. The largest subsectors in Serbia by value are dairy, meat, fruits, vegetables, wine, and confectionery industries.

    Food retail revenue in the Serbian market is approximately $9 billion a year, which represents a relatively small market. Foreign retail chains hold more than 80 percent of the total retail market, mainly divided between Dutch-owned Delhaize (owner of retail chains Maxi and Tempo) and the Croatian Fortenova Group (owner of retail chains Idea, Roda, and Mercator). Other international retail chains include Germany’s Metro, Lidl, and Greece’s Super Vero. Domestic retail chains represent only some 20 percent of the Serbian market: Dis, Univerexport, and Gomex. More than 50 percent of all food products are still sold through small grocery shops (estimated to number close to 30,000). Due to significant changes in consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, online retail increased by almost 600 percent since March 2020. Delivery services also expanded their business in Serbia by more than 400 percent over the past 3 years.

    Economic Situation

    The Serbian economy is rebounding from last year’s energy price shocks, despite continuing adverse economic conditions both regionally and globally. Economic growth is expected to reach 2 percent in 2023, increasing to 3 percent in 2024 as domestic demand recovers. Unemployment is at an all-time low. Inflation rose to 16 percent in February 2023, which was slightly higher than expected, led by higher food and energy prices. Average inflation in 2023 is expected to be 8.5 percent mostly driven by cost-push pressures. Additional challenges include the performance of the Serbian energy sector and the availability of electricity and gas in the winter of 2024, as well as the rising cost of financing the fiscal deficit and debt obligations considering higher interest rates. With limited space for future stimulus packages, structural reforms are needed to bring the economy back to sustained and growth, boost jobs and incomes. Currently, almost 60 percent of the population’s income is spent on food it is expected to be even more during 2024.

    Serbia needs to make further changes to its regulatory policy, mainly in accordance with the 2023 European Commission (E.C.) Annual Progress Report for Serbia published on November 8, 2023, https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/serbia-report-2023_en. According to the report Serbia made limited progress overall. The capacity to pursue key challenges in trade policy needs to be strengthened, to move forward with accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), where again no progress was made. In October 2023, Serbia provided an updated list of actions to be taken in the context of the WTO accession process as part of the action plan on its remaining legislative alignment with the EU acquis. In the coming year, Serbia should adopt a WTO-compliant law on genetically modified organisms, to move forward with remaining bilateral market access negotiations and towards finalization of its accession to the WTO.

    Overall Business Climate

    Serbia is an open economy with a strategic geographic location that makes it an attractive destination for investment and exports. Serbia has easy access to both EU and non-EU markets, a highly skilled and educated force, and solid infrastructure that has led many global companies to establish manufacturing and service facilities (see Serbia’s Country Commercial Guide https://www.trade.gov/country- commercial-guides/serbia-market-overview?section-nav=5477 ).

    Recent Trends

    The local and regional media frequently publish articles detailing consumers perceived (and actual) discrepancies in the quality of identically branded food products sold in Western Europe and Serbia. Concerns about ingredients and lower quality also have a strong influence on buyers’ confidence in imported products. This “dual ingredient” issue is common in Central and Eastern European countries. Most consumers have adjusted their eating habits and diet for health reasons, increasing health consciousness. Price remains the most important factor affecting purchasing decisions.

    Serbian consumers are increasingly purchasing online especially cross-border retail for lower prices and this segment is expected to grow at an annual average rate of over 10 percent over the course of the next five years. Currently, e-commerce is 5 percent of total retail turnover at about $500 million a year with 2.9 million online shoppers. The number of shoppers is expected to increase to 3.9 million by the end of 2024. Read the full report from USDA Foreign Ag Service HERE.