Economic analysis of raspberry production in Serbia at the level of variable costs in 2024

Raspberry production in the Republic of Serbia plays a crucial role in the agricultural economy, particularly for small-scale farms in mountainous regions. The Willamette cultivar, being widely cultivated variety, holds dominant economic significance. This study presents an economic analysis of raspberry production based on data collected from 174 selected farms during the 2024 production year. Family labor utilization was estimated based on normative labor requirements for various manual agricultural operations, as determined through consultations with experts from Serbia's agricultural advisory services and relevant literature sources. The analysis focuses on the structure of variable costs, distinguishing between recorded expenditures and total variable costs inclusive of imputed family labor costs. Results reveal substantial variability in yields, input usage, labor intensity, and market prices, despite favorable agroecological conditions. On average, yields on the selected farms significantly exceeded the national average. Labor costs-particularly family labor-emerged as the most influential component of total variable costs, accounting for approximately 40.35% of the average. When family labor is included, the average gross margin per hectare decreases by 42.8%, underscoring the importance of comprehensive cost accounting. The study highlights the necessity of incorporating family labor valuation in economic assessments to avoid misinterpretation of profitability. These findings establish a foundation for enhancing advisory practices, refining cost estimation methodologies, and informing policy initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability and competitiveness of raspberry production in Serbia.