Siberia's farmers feeling the heat

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.

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

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

"I used to be the best picker here, getting 100, even 120 kilos a day. Now I can barely manage 20 or 25," Ivan Mitic said as he plucked berries from the occasional healthy branch.

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

"You just can't pick enough. From five or six rows, you can't even fill one crate," the 27-year-old picker said.

Data published by the World Bank show Serbia was the top global exporter of several frozen berries, including raspberries, in 2023.

In 2024 it shipped around 80 000 tons of raspberries, mostly frozen, to major markets including France and Germany last year, according to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

But it has not rained for almost two months, and with no irrigation systems, Ivan's employer, Mileta Pilcevic, said farmers are experiencing the worst season in 50 years.