Profitability of plum production and processing under the conditions of Western Serbia

Abstract

In terms of plum production, the Republic of Serbia ranks third worldwide. Due to a large number of plum trees, hyper-production of poorer quality fruits frequently occurs, which results in the lack of interest in the intensification of the production, primarily in the old plantings. Traditional growing with the minimal application of mineral fertilizers and pesticides has been conducted in the state plantings. The obtained fruits are dried or used for plum brandy within the household. In the Western Serbia, i.e. the Western Morava basin, cultivars bred at the Fruit and Grape Research Centre in Cacak ('Cacanska Lepotica', Cacanska Rodna' and 'Valjevka') predominate. Owing to the introduction of American cv. 'Stanley', along with new plum cultivars bred in Cacak over last 25-30 years, the producers increasingly invest in plum production.