In Serbia, the price of cherries has reached between 1,200 and 1,700 dinars per kilogram (USD 11–15.60), sparking public concern over affordability. For many households, such prices are far beyond reach, especially given the country's current economic conditions.
The minimum consumer basket for a family of three—two parents and one child—currently stands at 55,000 dinars (USD 505), meant to cover all monthly expenses, including food. Within this budget, only around 25,000 dinars (USD 230) are allocated for food and beverages for the entire month, leaving little room for luxury items such as cherries.
The median monthly salary in Serbia is 81,793 dinars (USD 750), a figure that offers a more accurate reflection of the majority's earnings compared to the average salary, which is approximately 25% higher. While statistics suggest an average income of around 100,000 dinars (USD 915), most workers receive just over 80,000 dinars monthly. At current prices, purchasing a kilogram of cherries every other day would consume nearly a quarter of this income.
The sharp rise in fruit prices is largely attributed to adverse weather conditions over the winter and spring. Unusually warm temperatures in January and February caused cherry trees to blossom prematurely. This early blooming was followed by a severe frost in March, which severely damaged fruit crops across the country.
Cherries, apricots, and apples were especially hard hit, with some crops nearly 100% destroyed. Plums and pears also suffered losses of up to 80%. As a result, fruit has become a scarce and expensive commodity this season, and consumers are now paying significantly more to enjoy fresh produce.
Source: Vreme
