With its central location, favorable agricultural conditions, and growing focus on modernization, Serbia offers an attractive climate for both local producers and international trading partners.

Traditional agricultural sector

The agricultural sector has been a key pillar of the Serbian economy for centuries. Pig farming plays a prominent role, especially in regions such as Vojvodina, in the north of Serbia. This fertile area, also known as the breadbasket of Serbia, offers excellent opportunities for the production of animal feed, which supports pig farming in the region. Many Serbian farmers combine traditional methods with innovative techniques, allowing both small-scale and large-scale businesses in the sector to thrive.

Opportunities for export and trade

Thanks to its strategic location, Serbia serves as a connecting point between Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. This creates significant opportunities for the export of pigs and piglets. Although Serbia is not a member of the European Union, the country has entered into various trade agreements that ensure smooth trade and export possibilities. The demand for Serbian pigs is growing, especially from neighboring countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and further towards Central Europe.

Additionally, Serbia is increasingly developing modern infrastructure for transport and logistics, which is essential for animal-friendly and efficient export.

Challenges and future outlook

Despite the growth and opportunities, the Serbian pig sector also faces challenges. The pig population has experienced fluctuations over recent decades, partly due to economic changes and health risks such as African swine fever. To address these challenges, Serbia is investing in better veterinary controls, cooperation with international partners, and modernization of pig farms. More and more farmers see the potential of export and are focusing on quality, sustainability, and efficiency. With further integration into the international market, Serbia can further strengthen its position as a trading country.

In a dynamic sector like the pig industry, collaboration is crucial. Zoran Djurić, founder and owner of Synergy Agro in Serbia, shares his story about his role in the sector, his position as a representative of VAEX, and the unique challenges of the Serbian market.

Zoran Djurić, 42 years old, is a man with a clear vision. Born and raised in Novi Sad, he combines his MBA education with seven years of experience in pig farming. Zoran lives with his wife and two daughters in Serbia, where in 2017 he decided to build a fattening pig barn in Zabalj, a village close to his hometown. This marked the beginning of his adventure in an industry where he initially had no experience or training. “I saw the potential as a good investment,” he says.

Growth in the sector
What started with fattening pigs soon grew into a broader focus. This year, Zoran invested in a new barn for 120 sows. With this, he can produce 320 piglets every six weeks. In addition to running his two locations, he is involved in maintaining contact with employees, suppliers, and customers.

The expansion into piglet sales was partly due to his cooperation with VAEX. Since August 2024, Zoran has been the official representative of VAEX in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia. This partnership developed naturally: “I started as a VAEX customer, buying piglets for my own business and for partners I work with. During a visit from Mike and Gert to Serbia, we had an extensive conversation and shortly after, VAEX offered me the opportunity to start as a representative.”

The Serbian pig market offers a lot of potential, but also faces specific challenges. A major stumbling block is the import procedure for live animals, since Serbia is not an EU member state. “It can take two to four weeks for an import application to be approved,” Zoran explains. In addition, the market is affected by African swine fever (ASF) and fluctuations in piglet prices. “In June and July of this year, there was huge demand and the price rose to 135 euros per piglet. Three months later, that price dropped to 40 euros.”

Despite these obstacles, Zoran sees a lot of future potential. The number of sows in Serbia is so low that only 35-40% of domestic demand for piglets can be met. The rest must be imported. This creates opportunities for collaborations such as the one with VAEX.

What makes VAEX special?

Zoran is clearly enthusiastic about his cooperation with VAEX. “I appreciate the high quality of the piglets and the focus on long-term relationships,” he says. “I also enjoy working with a young, ambitious team that shares the same values.” For Zoran, it’s all about satisfied customers: “The best part of my job is seeing happy faces when we deliver healthy piglets.”

With his dedication and strategic vision, Zoran plays a key role in strengthening VAEX’s presence in the region. Zoran and VAEX together form a strong link in a challenging but promising market.