At the moment, the producers of gherkins and plums in Bosnia and Herzegovina export to the countries of the European Union.
The largest exporter of plums from Bosnia and Herzegovina is the company “Maočanka commerce” from Brčko, from where trucks full of plums are transported to Germany every day and to the shelves of famous markets. However, exports are difficult and exporters are once again calling on BiH authorities to help them.
Bahrija Ribić produces plums, apples, cherries and strawberries in the Brčko settlement of Šatorovići. He planted plums on nine hectares, that is, seven hectares of Čačanka ljepotica and two hectares of Stanley plums. Weather conditions reduced the yield.
“A small quantity of plum has remained on the hills. We do not have large quantities of plums this year. The price is OK now. The purchase price is 0.80 pf, which is a representative price for exports. As for the industry, it is 0.40 pf and this year it is 10 pf more expensive than in previous years“, said Bahrija Ribić, producer.
Currently, the biggest problem for producers is drought.
“The quality is good this year, but the problem is the drought. It lacks moisture to mature. The ripening is slower, there is less juice in the plum“, said Ibro Junuzović, the producer.
Both these, but also fresh plums from Ugljevik to Gradačac from 300-400 subcontractors, are bought by the company “Maočanka commerce”. Annually, they export about 2,500 tons to Germany to the largest market chains such as Lidl, Edeka and Rewe. About 1,500 tons have been exported so far this year.
“We have a complete organized production. We monitor our subcontractors with raw materials, we monitor their production with two agricultural engineers. We have implemented the standards required by the western market and we have many years of experience behind us“, said Ibrahim Tursunović, Company “Maočanka commerce” Brčko.
Exports are hampered by EU directives on the border with Croatia, where the phytosanitary inspection is not working for extended periods at the two border crossings, Gradiška and Bijača. On weekends, exporters somehow manage to export their products.
“We send goods through Serbia to enter Bajakovo. So, the goods travel two days longer and we have additional costs. We are managing somehow in order to respect the customers on the western market“, pointed out Tursunović.
And on the same market, there are also fruit distillates that are made from lower quality fruit that is processed in one of the most modern distilleries in Europe, according to Maočanka.
“We process about 5,000 tons of fruit a year in these capacities. So, apricot, plum, apple, pear. It has been six years since we put this plant into operation. Modern boilers have been installed there,” Tursunović added.
In Maoča, many residents are engaged in fruit production and they claim that it pays off.
“But only in a way to produce quality and first class that goes for export. If we are engaged in fruit growing just like that, to grow plum for the industry, it is not profitable and it is better not to start at all. Protection, nutrition, pruning must be done to the end, and thus we get the quality for the European market and get the right price. You can live solidly from fruit growing“, Bahrija Ribić emphasized.
Domestic plums from BiH orchards with strict criteria have imposed quality on the shelves of European countries where it is difficult to get placed because the government in BiH has not solved the problem of exports for years. Manufacturers and exporters, however, do not give up and reach the European market in various ways.
