Recent frosts have inflicted significant damage on Serbia's fruit growers, particularly in the Valjevo region, where farmers are now evaluating the extent of the losses to their raspberry and blackberry plantations.

Mladen Marić, a seasoned fruit grower from the village of Sušice near Valjevo, reported severe impacts on his crops following temperatures plummeting to as low as minus six degrees Celsius in recent mornings.

With almost five decades of experience in horticulture, Marić has traditionally adopted new varieties and applied expert recommendations to mitigate adverse weather impacts.

However, he expressed concerns that this year’s cold spell could cause serious harm to his harvests.

"At this stage of development, frost at temperatures of minus four or five degrees will cause the plants to wilt.

The main branches that produce fruit have suffered freeze damage, leading to expectations that many branches will remain stunted and yield no fruit.

I hope that perhaps 30% of the crop can survive," Marić stated in an interview.

The cold has not spared neighboring blackberry and plum orchards either.

Marić noted that selecting frost-resistant varieties may salvage a portion of his blackberry yield.

He mentioned that while varieties like 'Čačanska Rodna,' which is a later-maturing species, will endure better, the 'Džambo' variety could lose as much as 70% of its expected yield.

Additionally, he observed the plum trees, which were in the blooming phase, appear to be severely affected, showing signs of blackened flowers and no visible fruits.

Marić's orchards also include cherries, apples, quinces, and pears, all of which are under threat now as farmers confront the implications of this harsh weather.

Compounding these challenges, beekeepers in the vicinity have reported substantial losses in bee populations.

The decline in bee numbers is expected to lead to reduced pollination, further exacerbating the already concerning forecasts for fruit production this season.