For Immediate Release
Press Release
Belgrade, August 4th, 2022 – More than 200 representatives of the apple and pear industry from 23 countries gathered today in Belgrade for the opening conference of the World’s leading annual apple and pear industry event “Prognosfruit 2022” to learn about the latest forecasts for the upcoming apple and pear harvest season.
Prognosfruit 2022 was organized by the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) and Serbia’s first apple association “Serbia Does Apples”, with support from USAID’s Competitive Economy Project, Agrofresh, and other international and local sponsors. “Serbia Does Apples”, which initially gathered nine of the country’s leading apple producers, was created in 2018 to expand global trade opportunities for Serbian apples.
Experts from WAPA emphasized that the production of apples and pears in the countries of the European Union continues to have a growing trend. Still, outside the EU, as well as in China and the USA, there is a declining production trend. That is why it is vital to stimulate the consumption of apples and pears and focus on new markets.
“The WAPA management and members are very glad to see Prognosfruit 2022 taking place in Serbia, as we have witnessed the major progress and development of the apple and pear industry that have taken place here. I am certain we will leave Serbia with the best of memories. This conference is the ideal venue for making new contacts, networking, and assessing trends for the new season, which is taking place in challenging global circumstances”, said Philippe Binard, WAPA Secretary General.
Senad Mahmutović, State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, told the participants of Prognosfrut 2022: "Serbia is recognized as a serious and relevant producer of fruit. We are proud that our apples are in markets from Saudi Arabia to countries of the European Union, the Russian Federation, and Egypt. Circumstances call for things to change, not only in the production sector but also in trade. To support these sectors, it is up to the state to open new doors based on friendship and take advantage of opportunities for the benefit of producers and Serbia.”
Denny Robertson, USAID Mission Director to Serbia said that “Serbia’s agribusiness sector has developed rapidly over the past decade, especially in the fruit sector, thanks in large part to investments in high tech orchards and improvements in the logistics infrastructure. I am proud to say that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has invested heavily here to support that transformation. Serbia has a competitive advantage thanks to its variety and abundance of high-quality fruits, popular varieties, competitive production costs and its free-trade regime with the EU for agricultural products. USAID has worked with our counterparts in the Serbian Government and the agribusiness sector to capitalize on that competitive advantage.”
The President of the Serbian apple association, Gojko Zagorac added that: “It is a huge honor and pleasure for us to host this year’s Prognosfruit 2022, thanks to the fact that “Serbia Does Apples” joined the World Apple and Pear Association in 2019. This is the most important event for the apple and pear industry that brings together professionals working in our sector from across the globe. The conference is an excellent opportunity to present the Serbian economy to the world, promote our apple and pear producers, and make new international contacts.”
On August 5, 2022, the last day of the 3-day event, participants will visit “Atos Fructum”, that produces some of the best quality apples Serbia has to offer and has, in recent years, been successful at diversifying markets for the export of Serbian apples.
