Miller Magazine Issue: 120 December 2019

61 INTERVIEW MILLER / DECEMBER 2019 on the grain policy of Serbia, dynamics in the grain sector and new export markets for Serbia grain and also challeng- es that Serbia grain exporters face. Here are Mr. Sakovic answers to our questions: Could you please give us some information about the Association Serbia Grains? What is the mission of your Association? Association Serbia Grains is an association of grain pro- ducers and exporters with over 40 years of tradition. For- ty-eight member companies include manufacturers and ex- porters of grains and oilseeds, companies that are dealing with storing and accompanying services, quality control, crop protection, transport of bulk commodities and port operators. Associations Serbia Grains company members mutual share in total grains and oilseeds export from Ser- bia, in period from 2008 to 2018, equaled 65 to 87% of total annual exports for wheat, 68 to 86% for corn and 89 to 98% for oilseeds (sunflower seeds, soybeans and rape- seed together). Main mission is to improve the production and export of grains and oilseeds from Serbia. Some of the main activities of the Serbia Grains Association are as follows: • Grains and oilseeds production vol- ume and quality improvement to meet the balance requirements of the country and increase the export of grains; • Representation of members interests with government authorities and business associations; • Creating conditions for the work of the Association in cooperation with state authorities; • Arbitration function on domestic mar- ket to resolve disputes arising in the sale of grains and oilseeds; • Organizing performance in foreign markets in order to eliminate unfair com- petition; • Organization of economic and infor- mational propaganda in the media, at trade shows, grain and oilseed conferences and similar events; • Initiating cooperation between members, promoting specialization in order to increase production and exports; • Creating information system for association members; • Creating new standards and regulations on quality in accordance with current European and world standards; • Organizing education for producers and exporters. Can you tell about Serbia’s role and place in the Black Sea grain market and world grain market? We are witnessing a time when the center of world grain trade, primarily wheat, moved from North America (Gulf of Mexico) to the Black Sea region. The Black Sea is surrounded by large wheat producers. Of the ten largest wheat producers in the world, three are located in the Black Sea region (Russia, Ukraine and Turkey). In addition to the mentioned countries, other countries of the Black Sea re- gion like Romania, Bulgaria, have an important role in the world wheat production, and Hungary, Croatia and Serbia have their connection with Black Sea region via the Dan- ube River. Serbia exports between 3.5 and 4 million tonnes of grains annually and 70% of its exports are through the Black Sea ports, most often through the Romanian port of Constantza. With an average annual corn export at the level of 2.7 million tonnes, Serbia is consistently among the 10 largest corn exporters in the world. The results are slight- ly more modest for wheat - with an annual export of 1.1 million tonnes Serbia is between 10. and 13. place on the world wheat export list, depending on the export results. What can you say about Serbia’s 2019 wheat and corn production and 2019/20 export outlook? In every presentation of Serbian agricultural production, we always emphasize that Serbian law prohibits the pro- duction of GMO products and that we fight for our place at the international market with good quality and competitive prices. Two years ago, at Agro-Logistics Forum in Chis- inau, Moldova, the SGS (one of the largest multinational quality control companies) presentation showed the quality of wheat produced in all of the countries of the Black Sea region. By quality of wheat produced, Serbia ranks second behind Russia. It was no surprise to us because we know that we produce less than 10% of total wheat crop where proteins are less than 11%, and as much as 60% of total