The hailstorm of August 4th hit the municipality of Shtërpcë hard, causing significant damage to the raspberry sector. Although the damage occurred at the end of the production season, the consequences will be great for next year, as the new shoots that would produce in 2026 have been destroyed.
This scenario is reminiscent of that of Reçan, where last year’s hailstorm (2024) caused severe damage. As a result, this year Reçan had almost no raspberry production, due to damage to the shoots from the storm of the previous year. Unfortunately, history is repeating itself and the same situation is expected to occur next year in Shtërpcë.
This is a serious blow to the country’s raspberry industry, which has developed significantly in recent years and has managed to secure stable markets, both inside and outside Kosovo. The loss of a significant part of production will affect not only farmers, but also processors and exporters, reducing incomes and weakening the competitiveness of the sector in international markets.
Therefore, it is essential that those in charge of agricultural policies and support carefully analyze such situations and provide prompt and fair assistance. Given the great interest in raspberries, it is imperative to find support measures for small farmers, who with their limited areas but their large numbers, have brought significant income to the local economy.
Štrpce is one of the municipalities that cultivates 150 ha of raspberries.
We recall that this year the wholesale price of raspberries was around 3.5 euros per kilogram, which makes this crop an important source of rural income. For this reason, immediate support measures are required for the raspberry industry in the country. Only through such actions can the continuity and sustainability of agriculture in Kosovo be ensured.