Raspberries at risk

DROUGHT: ONE OF WORLD'S MAIN EXPORTERS BATTLING

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Facing drought and record heat, raspberry farmers in western Serbia are warning of the worst season in decades for one of the world's largest exporters of the fruit.

Under the scorching sun, pickers move through parched raspberry fields in search of the few fruits that have not shrivelled to a pea size.

The dry spell started six weeks early in the region of Arilje, about 120km southwest of Belgrade, hitting a harvest already weakened by a late frost which struck while the berries were in bloom.

"I used to get 100, even 120kg a day. Now I can barely manage 20 or 25," Ivan Mitic said, as he plucked sparse berries.

Even after he has sorted through several rows in the intense heat, the richest raspberries are in short supply and his tray is left half-filled.