The Implementation of Public Environmental Regulations and Private Standards in the Serbian Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector: Implications for Trade and Future EU Membership

Abstract

The agri-food sector plays important role in the Serbian economy (Zaric and Topisirovic, 2004), contributing at least with a quarter of total employment and the value of exports. Fruit and vegetables alone contribute approximately one third of the value of agri-food exports. Fresh fruit and vegetables are perceived to be one of the few areas where Serbia could significantly increase its agri-food exports and the country has a longstanding reputation for certain products such as raspberries. However to exploit these possibilities Serbian farmers have to meet international public standards and the private standards of buyers (Zaric, 2005). Both international public and private sector regulation has grown significantly in recent years. This is particularly important as Serbia seeks to better integrate with the EU and obtain full membership.