Milija Palamarević, president of the Association of Cattle Breeders of Central Serbia, announced that milk producers in the region will spill three tons of milk in Gruža on July 4 as a protest against the recent drop in milk purchase prices. The protest will include a half-hour traffic stoppage on the Kragujevac-Kraljevo highway.
Palamarević said he plans to invite Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Dragan Glamočić, to meet with dairy farmers and intermediaries to clarify conflicting claims about milk imports. While the government denies issuing import permits for milk and dairy products, Palamarević claims that companies are importing cheese under permits despite engaging in unrelated business activities.
He highlighted that dairies have lowered the purchase price of milk by around 20 dinars per liter, with current prices ranging from 35 to 60 dinars—below production costs—causing losses for producers. Dairy companies also pressure farmers with unfounded claims of antibiotics presence or mixing fresh milk with powdered milk to justify further price cuts.
Palamarević, a veterinarian and cattle farmer near Kraljevo, criticized the minister for not reacting to reports about dairies eliminating the 19-dinar per liter production premium paid by the state.
He questioned why retail prices of milk products remain high despite reduced payments to producers, and why the government does not regulate trade margins.
Additionally, Palamarević warned that ongoing drought will devastate livestock numbers due to feed shortages, noting that the government has yet to support farmers in preserving their herds. He personally invested about €75,000 in corn production on 100 hectares but expects significant crop losses due to heat and lack of moisture, meaning he will still need to buy feed.
