In Serbia, table potatoes are produced on about 25.000 hectares. The total production amounts to 450.000 to 500.000 tons, while the average consumption per capita is about 50 kg, which means that the country needs about 250.000 tons for domestic consumption.
Of the total production, 50.000 tons go into processing. Sources say 18 companies are engaged in the processing and canning of potatoes in Serbia. Investing in potato production is expensive: the minimum investment is €5,000 per hectare. However, due to inadequate storage, more than 70.000-80.000 tons of potatoes dehydrates and becomes unconditioned, for further processing.
Although Serbia used to be a country of potatoes, today it seems to have become very dependent on imports. From 12.000 to 15.000 tons of French fries are imported into Serbia alone annually. Bad results in potato processing and canning have been confirmed.
Source: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl
