IDMA Today 2024 - Day 3

03 4 MAY 2024 an you provide an overview of the current state of the grain industry in Serbia? Serbian grain industry shares many difficulties no different than all of the other grain producers and exporters in the region. Wheat stocks are on a high level, production costs are high, farmers were reluctant sell- ers throughout past autumn and winter, export demand for wheat was sluggish since harvest 2023, weather was un- predictable. Serbia is approaching new marketing year for winter crops with new record in terms of wheat carry over / ending stocks are at the highest level for 3rd year in a row. Since February grain exports pace relatively stabilized and even shows growth in past few months. We currently expect eagerly further development of winter crops in May hoping to have a good rapeseed, barley and wheat crop this sea- son. In spring campaign Serbian producers had sawn bigger area with corn comparing to previous year and about same as in the year before with sunflowerseed. What are the main challenges facing grain producers and traders in Serbia today? For Serbian producers - high costs of production and un- predictable weather conditions. Serbian traders are facing unstable offer in terms of supply in the domestic market due to reluctancy in farmers selling and traders - high level com- petitivness in the region from neighbouring countries on the Danube river, and in reference to selling to far end buyers through Romanian port of Constanta: competition from other origins in the Black sea region and volatile costs of transport. Can you discuss any recent developments or trends in grain production, trade, or consumption that are particu- larly noteworthy for Serbia? Serbia is self sufficient in terms of grains production. We annualy produce almost 100% above our needs for wheat, and from above 50 % and more in non drought years of ex- clusively non-GMO corn. During past 2 years Italy has be- come most significant buyer of Serbian wheat. Grain exports to surrounding countries had grown rapidly within limits of lo- gistics possibilities. During past 2 years Serbia became more significant net exporter of soybean oil and soybean meal, as well as of rapeseed oil and rapeseed meal. How does the Serbia Grain Association perceive the role of events like the IDMA Expo in fostering innovation and advancement in the grain processing industry? IDMA Expo is one of the most significant events for grain pro- cessing industry having in mind new inovative solutions exhibit- ed here which certainly push the grain processing industry forward. Held in Istanbul, it serves as an excellent meeting point for par- ticipants from both the European and Asian grain sectors, as well as from African countries. These regions, along with Asia, signifi- cantly influence global demand for grains and related products. What messages does the Serbia Grain Association aim to communicate to industry profes- sionals and stakeholders at the IDMA Expo? It is both immense honor and pleasure to support IDMA 2024, too see such a big number of exi- bitors and participants from all over Asia, Africa and Europe as well as to witness a progress IDMA Expo has made during past 5 years since we started our coop- eration. I am sure everyone is aware that event itself has grown to unprecendented dimensions and I would like to use this op- portunity to congratulate the M. Ali Kalkan, Chairman of HAGE Group, the organizing body behind IDMA fairs, and his team for their outstanding organization of this highly beneficial event. In an interview with IDMA Today daily, Suncica Savovic, Director of the Serbia Grains Associa- tion, provides valuable insights into the current state of the grain industry in Serbia. Savovic dis- cusses the main hurdles, recent developments in Serbian grain industry, and the role of events like the IDMA Expo in fostering innovation and advancement in the grain processing industry. DIRECTOR OF SERBIA GRAINS ASSOCIATION Suncica Savovic Serbia Grain Association applauds IDMA Expo’s role in industry innovation C