Serbia has significantly improved its safety-control system for foods of plant origin, with oversight of primary agricultural production now meeting European Union standards, according to a draft European Commission report.
The findings followed an expert review conducted in Serbia during 2026 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety.
European experts examined how the country conducts official hygiene inspections and prevents microbiological contamination in plant-based foods.
The review covered farms, food-processing facilities and laboratories, with particular attention given to fresh and frozen berries, other small fruits and leafy green vegetables.
According to a statement from the Serbian government, inspectors found that the country has an appropriate legal and institutional framework for managing risks involving products intended for both the domestic market and export to the EU.
The organization of responsible government agencies, the reliability of official laboratory results and sampling procedures aligned with international standards all received positive assessments.
The commission also found that Serbia’s system for responding to unsafe-food notifications through the European RASFF alert network had been properly established and was operating effectively.
The greatest progress was recorded in controls involving the primary production of berries and other small fruits.
The findings are particularly important for Serbian fruit growers and exporters because they indicate that microbiological risks are being evaluated and controlled in line with European requirements. The assessment could also help protect the international reputation of Serbian raspberries and support more stable exports.
However, the European Commission recommended further reforms, including additional training for inspectors responsible for food-processing facilities and the full implementation of controls covering leafy green vegetables intended for export.
Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture said it would prepare an action plan to continue strengthening food safety protections and improve the competitiveness of the country’s agricultural sector.
