Fresh produce and goods sold at market stalls across Serbia are becoming increasingly expensive, with some prices now exceeding those in supermarkets, while the number of local producers continues to decline.
For many years, Serbian markets were known as a place where consumers could find cheaper and fresher products directly from farmers. However, rising production costs, fewer small producers, and changing market conditions have made traditional markets less affordable for many shoppers.
Farmers and sellers say that producing goods has become more difficult due to higher costs of seeds, fertilizers, transportation, and other expenses. As more producers leave agriculture, markets increasingly rely on resellers, which can lead to higher prices for consumers.
The decline in the number of local producers has also raised concerns about the future of domestic agriculture. Experts warn that without stronger support for small farmers, Serbia could become more dependent on imported products and lose an important part of its traditional food supply chain.
Consumers are now facing a situation where buying directly from market stalls is no longer always the cheaper option, forcing many to compare prices between markets and supermarkets before making purchases.
