The plum from Majevica is on its way to the European market again this year. The harvest of the early variety was completed and about 200 tons of first class were delivered to the European Union. These days saw beginning of the harvest of the Čačak beauty, which is of good quality, but smaller than previous years due to drought. However, fruit growers are satisfied and expect a good income, the price is the same as last year, 80 pfennigs per kilogram, and placement in the European Union has been secured.

Late spring frost did not destroy the plum on Majevica, but the drought reduced its yield by 20 to 30 percent. In favorable years, Majevica fruit growers had more than 90 percent of the first class fruit. This year, due to the lack of precipitation, there will be significantly less of the Čačak beauty first class intended for export, because not a drop of rain fell on this area for 50 consecutive days. Mirko Jovanović from Tutnjevac is expecting 50 tons of fruit on 2,000 trees.

– Considering the weather conditions, we are satisfied with the yield. Compared to other regions, we are satisfied. The Stanley failed the most, and the Čačak beauty proved to be the best. The yield failed by 20%, but we had gains in fruit quality and size – said Jovanović.

Although he applied full agricultural methods in his orchard, Duško Sekulić did not obtain the expected quality due to the drought.

– As far as we are concerned, we applied all agricultural measures, but that was not enough for the fruit to grow in size because water was needed. There was no rain for more than a month and a half and the fruit remained rather small – stated Sekulić.

However, fruit growers will not be left without income. Rade Gavrić is expecting two or three first-class wagons on his two hectares, and he will leave small plum for brandy.

– The price is 80 pfennigs per kilogram, same as last year, plus incentive from the ministry. The price is good – Gavrić pointed out.

Guaranteed purchase is half the job done, fruit growers say. Five purchasers from Majevica export plums to the EU, the only problem they have been facing in recent days is due to long waits at the Croatian border.

– It creates problems for us, considering that customers order goods from us for a Monday, Tuesday, and we must ship the goods two or three days earlier, because we are not sure whether those goods will cross the border, and the older the goods, the poorer the quality – emphasized Milo Stojić, a purchaser.

By agreement between Minister Košarac and the Chief Inspector of Croatia, the problem was solved. Exporters need to announce their transports 24 hours in advance and they will not have any problems at the border. It is estimated that Majevica fruit growers will export 2,500 tons of the Čačak beauty in the next month, during which this variety will be harvested.

Source and photo: RTRS