Miller Magazine Issue: 120 December 2019

64 INTERVIEW MILLER / DECEMBER 2019 the joint project, representatives and members of the Asso- ciation Serbia Grains participated at the Global Grain Gene- va Conference, within the Black Sea Forum, and organized a successful Crop Tour Serbia in June 2019. The first Serbia Grain Conference was a highlight of this project, having sparked such an interest among market participants, both in Serbia and regionally, that it became a separate project. Republic of Serbia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management recognized the need for investing in long-term development of Serbian grains and oil- seeds export through such an event and have supported As- sociation Serbia Grains in the idea of organizing Serbia Grain Conference with the goal that it becomes a traditional event. Conference Serbia Grain 2019 gathered more than 200 participants including representatives of worldwide national grain associations, Serbian Government officials and repre- sentatives, representatives from both international and Ser- bian grains and oilseeds trading companies, quality control companies, transport and freight forwarding companies and Serbian grain producers, traders and exporters - mem- bers of the Serbia Grains Association. Participants were presented with estimates for the cur- rent marketing year for grains and oil seeds in the global market and the latest world market developments by UN FAO and International Grains Council expert speakers. We were honored that Mr. Arnaud Petit, IGC executive director, held one of the opening presentations. Data on the quanti- ties and quality of wheat, corn, sunflower seed, soybeans and rapeseed production in Serbia and export capacities were displayed. Second session was dedicated to future possibilities in grain production, logistics capabilities and disadvantages. Do you think this conference will be a tradition? Conference SERBIA GRAIN 2019 proved to be an excellent opportu- nity for establishing new business contacts and renewing old ones. As- sociation Serbia Grains will continue to do everything needed in order that this event becomes a tradition and gets on an even higher level of or- ganization than the first year. The Danube waterway is vital for Serbia grain exports. Howev- er, logistics problems are limiting the Serbia grain trade. Could you tell us recent investment plans and projects to solve logistics problems? 70% of Serbian grains are exported through the Dan- ube. River transport on the Danube, like anywhere in the world, is not without problems. We can divide problems into subjective ones, which we can influence on, and objec- tive ones that are beyond our influence. Objective ones do not include low water levels in the summer months, which reduces shipping standards and leads to increased costs and occasional suspension of navigation due to ice in the winter months. Subjective problems include the small num- ber of silo in Serbian ports, the clearing of waterways on the Danube, and, what would significantly improve our export logistics - the return of river vessels up to 5,000 tons. Until the 1990s, river-sea vessels were used in regular traffic at the Danube River. Their return would greatly facilitate and reduce transport costs of goods to the ports and end us- ers, which would make our goods more competitive. Serbia is becoming a member of the International Grain Council. What will IGC membership bring in for Serbia? The International Grains Council (IGC) is an intergovern- mental organization that seeks to further international coop- eration in grains trade, promote expansion, openness and fairness in the grains sector and contribute to grain market stability by improving market transparency through informa- tion-sharing, analysis and consultation on market and poli- cy developments. The IGC also provides daily export price quotations, and market reports, together with access to its extensive databases, to its member governments. We live in a time when it is very important to have the right informa- tion but more importantly to have the right information at a right moment in order to make the right decisions.