Arilje, Serbia—Nestled in the hilly terrain of western Serbia, the town of Arilje has earned recognition as the country’s “raspberry capital,” a distinction reflecting its significant role in the global raspberry market. The municipality, home to approximately 17,000 residents and located about 170 kilometers from Belgrade, produces nearly a fifth of Serbia’s raspberry exports, with fruit shipped as far afield as the United States and Japan. Serbia ranks among the world’s top three raspberry exporters.

The region’s favorable climate and soil conditions make it well suited to raspberry cultivation. Local producers emphasize traditional farming methods, cultivating the berries without chemicals and harvesting them by hand to maintain quality. Annual yields typically range between 15,000 and 20,000 tons.

“The raspberry fields here are unique,” stated Mileta Pilcevic, head of a local association of raspberry growers. “Arilje is one of the smallest places with such a high concentration of raspberry production.” Pilcevic highlighted the demanding nature of the work, noting that cultivating a raspberry field requires at least two years before it becomes productive. He added that mechanical intervention and chemical treatments are avoided to preserve the fruit’s distinctive aroma, taste, and quality.

The cultivation process remains largely family-run, often passed down through generations. Seasonal laborers, including workers from South Asia such as India, arrive during the early summer harvest to assist with picking. Local resident Nada Marinkovic described the manual labor involved in clearing weeds and grass, with the actual picking described as challenging primarily due to exposure to the sun.

Approximately 90% of Serbia’s raspberry production is exported frozen, while the remainder is sold in domestic markets. Frozen raspberries serve as ingredients in a range of European food products, including jams, yogurt, bakery items, and other processed goods. Some producers have also begun marketing fresh fruit and natural raspberry juices directly to consumers online.

Despite its established reputation and steady production, Arilje’s raspberry sector faces growing challenges. Producers have reported increasing uncertainty linked to fluctuating weather patterns and inconsistent purchase prices. Last year’s drought, in particular, has led to expectations of a 20-30% reduction in this year’s raspberry harvest compared to average yields.