IS HOME CANNING A THING OF THE PAST?

As the traditional canning season kicks off, the Banja Luka market tells a different story — one of empty stalls and declining interest. Despite stands overflowing with fresh peppers, tomatoes, plums, and other seasonal produce, customers are few and far between. According to vendors, the growing trend of buying ready-made goods in supermarkets is pushing home canning toward extinction.

Once a cherished custom in every household — preparing jars of ajvar, pickled peppers, cucumbers, and jams — is now being left behind. Many homemakers say it's simply easier, and often cheaper, to pick up a jar from the store than to spend hours preparing it themselves.

At the Nova Market in Banja Luka, farmer Ratko Ilić from Gornji Karajzovci was seen unloading a truck full of fresh yellow peppers, commonly known as babure. He told Glas Srpske that local producers are struggling more than ever to stay afloat.

“I bring fresh peppers every day and sell them for 1.5 KM per kilo, but demand is low,” Ilić said. “People are drawn to imported goods. When you see a perfectly shaped pepper, it’s likely not from around here. I stayed in the village because I love farming, but if this continues, I’ll need to find another job — there's no future in this.”

He added that he used to supply some supermarket chains, but even they have turned to cheaper imported alternatives.

Slobodan Bundalo, a veteran vendor with 28 years of experience selling at the Banja Luka market, agrees. He says this season has been the worst he’s seen in decades.

“Everyone shops at supermarkets now, even though their goods sit around longer. Ours is always fresh. Even when we lower prices, no one buys. A kilo of local potatoes is 1.5 KM. I sell tomatoes by the crate — one KM per kilo,” Bundalo said, noting that shoppers now prioritize what's cheaper, and that’s often factory-processed food.

Among the few browsing the market was Dragica T., a homemaker who says she no longer makes winter preserves — for several reasons.

“With how much produce costs now, it’s not worth it. By the time you buy everything, prep it, and add in the effort, it’s easier and cheaper to grab a jar of ajvar or jam from the store,” she said. “Besides, who knows what’s really local anymore? Most of what’s sold is either imported or sprayed heavily. Truly local produce is rare.”

She added that canning only makes sense for those with their own gardens — but even that is becoming increasingly difficult due to climate change.

“Every year is worse. Droughts and frost ruin everything. Sometimes, there’s nothing to harvest. Life’s hard — people only buy what they absolutely need,” she emphasized.

Murisa Marić, director of the Prijedor-based Consumer Association DON, agrees that home canning has become financially unfeasible for most.

“Plums at the market are 3.5 KM per kilo — that’s too much to make jam. Other produce is also expensive. And who can guarantee it’s actually local and not just imported goods sold at a premium?” Marić said.

She concluded that this year has been particularly harsh for domestic producers, leaving many to question the future of homegrown food.

“With so much fruit and vegetables being imported, there’s no real way to know what you’re buying. That’s why more and more consumers are turning to supermarket shelves for their winter pantry,” Marić noted.