Improved varieties set to revolutionise raspberry and blackberry production in Serbia
8 July 2024
Serbia has long been renowned as a global powerhouse when it comes to the production and supply of raspberries and blackberries. The vast majority of production in the country has always been and remains for processed markets, such as IQF and juices / jams, as opposed to fresh berry consumption. It appears now that the berry industry is reaching a crossroads, meaning that it can either continue with its traditional methods or take a step towards more modern production systems.
Nowadays, there are thought to be in the region of 10.000-13.000ha of raspberry production and 1500-2000ha of blackberries in the country. Standard varieties have remained the same for the last few decades, meaning Willamette in raspberries and Cacanska Bestrna in blackberries. Average plantation sizes are small with all operations often being managed by families rather than a team of management and employees. Harvested fruits are supplied to “cold-store” businesses that carry out the processing before shipping, mostly to international markets.
The 2024 harvest is expected to be severely affected by recent weather events, in terms of heatwaves, major hailstorms and floods. As a result, predictions suggest a total national raspberry harvest of 55.000-65.000t, one third less than the 2023 crop which was 85.000t. When setting these fruit volumes against the number of hectares planted, it can be seen that yields per hectare are around 5.5-6.5t/ha when the weather is not influencing yields like in this year. One of the main factors contributing to such low yields is the fact that plantations are often kept in the ground for 15 years or more.
Many in the industry are now predicting major changes in the near future. Commercial-scale trials are yielding significantly improved results for Serbian growers. Modern production methods, employing tunnels, raised beds, substrate, improved plant quality, high-tech fertigation and biological control methods are demonstrating that production doesn't have to be “just like we used to do things”.
The other key improvement now available to growers is access to better varieties. The team at Global Plant Genetics has been working with its partners in the country, Zeleni Hit, for the last few years. As a result of this collaboration, a range of improved varieties have been tested with a handful now proven in a range of climates within the country and for varying production methods. These new varieties have been tested both for adaptation to processing and for fresh fruit consumption. There has been a noticeable increase in fresh berry production in the country in the recent past few years.
In terms of improved raspberry varieties for the processing and IQF sector, both Glen Dee and Glen Mor have demonstrated characteristics worthy of large-scale commercialisation. Glen Mor is early to produce and its disease resistance means that it is well-adapted to production in Serbian soils. Nebojsa Momirovic of Zeleni Hit commented, “Glen Mor raspberry has many impressive characteristics. First of all, it is demonstrating full resistance to soil diseases, making it suitable for planting in most Serbian growing regions. Although, it is a floricane variety, due to the fact that it is a low-chill type, it also produces an excellent autumn yield from its primocanes. Last year, this was 1kg per plant of very good quality fruit at a time when other varieties were not producing, so it was very useful. We see a bright future for Glen Mor, in both processed and fresh fruit sectors”.
Glen Dee is a later season type, also with excellent inherent plant health strength. Commercial trials have demonstrated consistent yields per hectare of 25-30t/ha in protected growing systems.
With regards to the fresh sector, the primocane type Skye is primed to change raspberry production in the country. It can be successfully double-cropped to provide early floricane fruit from late May and throughout June and then again in the late summer / early autumn when fruits are taken from the new primocanes. The ability to double- crop with sufficient quantities of premium berries over both harvests makes it unique. The Serbian climate often offers a shortened growing season due to a prolonged winter period. As a result, some other primocane varieties are unable to express their full potential due to late autumn frosts. Both harvest seasons of Skye have proven to be compact enough to allow for full crops in each. Nevena Momirovic of Zeleni Hit stated, “Skye has all of the aspects needed to make it a premium raspberry variety in Serbia. It has such strong roots and new shoots that it is possible to harvest a full primocane crop from the early shoots and then grow through full, new floricanes. These are then over-wintered for a complete floricane harvest the following spring. One commercial scale trial we have in place in Arilje, planted with potted long canes, is showing a yield potential of 40t/ha this first harvest season. In addition, the fruit is sweet, large and very firm, making it ideal for export. I expect to see Skye widely planted in Serbia in the next few seasons as our production within the country modernises.”
The blackberry varietal offer is also improving in the country, again both for processing and fresh berry sectors. Natchez is providing high quality fruit from early June, before standard cultivars. The berries can be supplied to premium markets, especially for fresh consumption. Its seasonality and excellent fruit quality make it unique. The variety Ouachita follows right after Natchez and has dual-usage capabilities for fresh and processed supply. Berries are sweet and medium sized. In addition, they are very cohesive, meaning that they remain intact when passing down IQF and processing lines. To continue the harvest season after Ouachita is the cultivar, Von. Von is already well-renowned as a premium variety in international fresh markets. In Serbia, it is demonstrating the same characteristics later in the natural fruiting season. As more modern production systems are now being employed, Von can also be used in protected cultivation, using sequential plantings of long canes to provide a long season of supply. Jamie Petchell of GPG added, “It is great to see our range of blackberries performing at a high-level again in Serbia this season. Natchez is producing excellent quality, fresh berries three weeks ahead of standard types in the location, giving it a significant advantage. Fruit size is very large and we are very impressed with the flavour when visiting growing sites. Ouachita, another variety from the University of Arkansas, looks set to become the standard dual-usage cultivar in the country in the coming years. The premium fruited variety Von is once again displaying its combination of excellent fruit quality and high yields. Its future could also be as a dual-usage type, with long canes employed in protected cropping systems to supply premium fresh markets and outdoor plantation at high-elevation for late season fruit supply in September.”
Despite a challenging harvest season ahead this year, the future is looking bright for progressive Serbian berry producers.
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