SEMBERIJA STRAWBERRIES ARRIVE AT THE BIJELJINA MARKET

Semberija strawberries are now being sold at the city market in Bijeljina. After greenhouse-grown strawberries, the harvest from open fields has also arrived, although it was delayed for several days due to temperature fluctuations.

PHOTO: Info Bijeljina

Đorđe Vakčić from Malo Obarska grows strawberries on around two and a half dunums of land, and from 8,500 plants he expects a good yield this season.

“We usually pick the first harvest around Đurđevdan. This year as well, we managed to produce healthy, large and fragrant strawberries. It was not easy to preserve the crop. The biggest problem was the temperature — during the day it was acceptable, but at night it sometimes dropped to just one degree Celsius, which caused enormous stress for the plants. Science and expertise must be respected: fertilization, protection measures and waiting periods all give results in the end. When hard work and years of experience come together, along with a little help from God, we can expect a good year,” Vakčić told InfoBijeljina.

HIGH DEMAND FOR LOCAL STRAWBERRIES

Domestic strawberries are highly sought after and profitable because they bring farmers the first income of the season. The first harvest was sold for 10 KM per kilogram, while prices have now dropped to between 4 and 6 KM.

There are plenty of customers and demand remains high.

“Customers are satisfied. The strawberries are sweet and ripe. Everyone buys according to their budget — some take half a kilogram, some a kilogram or more. In general, everything gets sold,” said vendor Svjetlana Vidaković.

BUYERS VALUE QUALITY AND TRUSTED ORIGIN

Customers say they value quality above all. Katarina Modraković says she has been buying strawberries for years from a trusted seller.

“I buy them for my children, so it’s important to me that they are not heavily treated with pesticides and other chemicals. So far we haven’t had any problems. I used to buy large quantities to make jam, preserves and juice, but that no longer pays off. Now I just buy enough for us to eat,” the young mother told InfoBijeljina.

Producers hope the weather will remain favorable. With enough sunshine, the strawberries will continue to ripen and become even sweeter, while customers hope prices will continue to fall as the season progresses.