According to the
2012 Agricultural Census, the total agricultural land in the territory of the Republic of Serbia covers 3,861,477 hectares, and our country has 631,552 agricultural holdings.
Of the total value of agricultural production in 2014, crop production accounted for 66.9%, and livestock with 33.1%. Compared to 2013, the net index of physical volume of agricultural production increased by 2.1%.
Plant production compared to 2013 increased by 5.7%. The value of crop production increased by 11.9%, while the fruit-growing dropped by 20.5%, and viticulture by 38.7%.
The value of livestock production compared to 2013 increased by 0.4%. Within the structure of livestock production, cattle breeding value decreased by 0.1% and sheep breeding by 0.5%, while poultry and pig production increased by 0.5% and 4.8% respectively.
Of the total agricultural area in 2014, arable land accounted for 74.3%, with 4.7% include orchards, vineyards 0.6%, meadows 10.9%and pastures 9.5%.
In the structure of sown areas, grain accounted for 69.8%, industrial crops 13.3%, vegetable crops 2% and fodder 9.3%.
The production in 2014, compared to 2013, is higher for maize by 35.6% and sugar beet by 10.3%, while it was lower in wheat by 11.3% and sunflower by 0.7%.
Compared to 2013, there is a greater number of livestock units (by 4.1%), and the production of cow's milk and meat increased by 2.8% and 2.5% respectively.
The climate is moderate continental with an average annual temperature of 11–12°C. Average annual precipitation ranges from 600 mm to 800 mm in the plains and between 800 mm and 1,200 mm in the mountains.
Soil and climate conditions are highly conducive to the development of agriculture. The plains of Vojvodina, Kosovo Polje, Metohija, Pomoravlje, Posavina, Tamnava, Krusevac and Leskovac offer favourable conditions for mechanised field crop farming and vegetable production.
Rolling hills and foothills support fruit and wine production and livestock breeding. The hills and mountains of Zlatibor, Rudnik, Stara Planina, Kopaonik and Sar Planina are attractive for developing sheep and cattle breeding and forestry.
The total land area under forests in the Republic of Serbia is 2,168,746 hectares, of which 953,218 hectares, or approximately 44%, are state owned, while the remaining 56% are in the private sector.
2015 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Serbia – Agriculture. Source: Serbian Statistics Office.