Grapes market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The grape market in Serbia expanded from 161 thousand tons in 2018 to 174.6 thousand tons in 2019. This growth was underpinned by state subsidies for small wineries, which directly encouraged vineyard output, and a rising trend in cultivating high-quality grapes, particularly focusing on local native varieties.

From 2020 to 2021, the market volume experienced a slight contraction, settling at 169.8 thousand tons. This period was marked by the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains and the increasing effect of climate change on crop yields, though continued state subsidies provided a buffer for producers. By 2022, despite extreme weather events linked to climate change, the market recovered to 175.9 thousand tons, sustained by ongoing government support. However, the market value in monetary terms fell sharply that year due to a significant rise in production costs and high inflation.

In 2023, the market saw a pronounced decline to 144.9 thousand tons, primarily driven by the continued adverse effects of climate change on viticulture, including shifts in ripening periods and alterations in grape quality. Concurrently, the government announced plans to increase investments and subsidies for the sector, while market diversification emerged with new grape-based products like oil and flour forming a novel segment.

Production grapes in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Serbia produced 160.3 thousand tons of grapes, marking a slight decrease of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 149.5 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 9.7% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant increase, with production rising by 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Grape production in Serbia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 152.8 million US dollars, reflecting a strong year-over-year increase of 19.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 120.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports grapes from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, grape shipments from Serbia to abroad declined. In 2020, exports reached 809 tons, which is 35.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 21.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 245 tons, while the largest increase of 14.7% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Montenegro, Russia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the top buyers of grapes from Serbia, accounting for 34.4%, 24.6%, and 20.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 79.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Serbia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Serbia's grape exports declined in value. In 2020, exports totaled 772 thousand US dollars, which is 21.0% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 976 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase of 13.8% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Montenegro, Russia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina played leading roles in Serbia's grape exports by value, accounting for 32.1%, 29.1%, and 17.6% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 78.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Serbia in value, 2017-2020

Imports grapes to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Serbia's grape imports totaled 14 502 tons, showing a solid rise of 18.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia was the key supplier of grapes to Serbia, accounting for 77.6% of total imports in kind. The remaining imports came from a diversified group of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Serbia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's grape imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 11 970 thousand US dollars, up by 24.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 42.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Italy, and Turkey were consistently the main sources for Serbia's grape imports by value, accounting for 62.2%, 8.4%, and 8.4% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 79.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Serbia in value, 2017-2020