ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF PRODUCTION OF PLUM AND CHERRY ON FAMILY HOLDINGS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA.

The production of plum and cherry, as stone fruit species, occupy a significant place in the plant agricultural activity of the Republic of Serbia. In this paper, on the basis of data from selected family holdings in the southern part of Serbia, the production results and evaluation of the economic justification of these two fruit species were investigated. Data collected through a survey were used for the research, and the economic evaluation was performed using static calculative methods. The most important economic indicators determined were: cost price, net profit (average amount), accumulativeness expressed through the rate and time period of investment capital. When producing plums, the average annual financial result is from 503,490 RSD/ha to 594,340 RSD/ha. The analysis determined that by investing RSD 100/ha in production of plum, 40 RSD is accumulated, and the average annual net profit is 425,313 RSD/ha. From the average amounts of net profit, investments made in raising plum trees plantations (1,080,000 RSD/ha) can be recovered during the third year of its exploitation. Although the yield of cherry per unit area is lower compared to the yield of plum, better economic results in the amount of 535,800 RSD/ha to 682,920 RSD/ha are achieved due to a much more favorable selling price per unit measure. For every RSD 100 invested in cherry production, 48 RSD of accumulation is achieved. The average net profit amounts to 492,099 RSD/ha, and the investments made in raising plantations of cherry trees (1,020,000 RSD/ha) can be recovered in the third year of its exploitation. In recent years, cherry have been very profitable fruit species in Serbia, due to the high demand and favorable selling price. With permanent education of fruit producers, as well as with various support measures at the state and local level, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the existing business and improve the profitability of plums and cherry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]