PEACH HARVEST BEGINS, GOOD YIELD AND QUALITY

GRADIŠKA, JULY 10 /SRNA/ - The harvest of early peach varieties has begun in the Potkozarje region, with yields significantly better than in previous years.

Dragoja Dojčinović, president of the Republika Srpska Fruit Growers Association, said that the fruit is large and of good quality, adding that he expects even better quality from the later peach varieties that will be ready for harvest at the end of July.

Dojčinović said that fruit growers would seek, in cooperation with institutions and retail chains, to find the best way to ensure that the purchase of domestically produced fruit is given priority, as there is strong pressure from fruit imports.

According to data from the Department for Professional Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska, there are around 70 hectares of peach orchards in the areas of Gradiška, Laktaši and Srbac. In recent years, however, fruit growers have shown growing interest in planting peaches, encouraged by incentives for capital investments.

Fruit growers in the Potkozarje region are also satisfied with the condition of apple and plum orchards, which are the most widespread in the area, as well as with pear orchards, and they expect a record harvest and good quality, provided there are no severe droughts or adverse weather conditions.