The PLAC IV project was presented on 20 May 2026 at the EU Pavilion within the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, with the topic “Climate Viticultural Zones in Serbia.” In coversation with the audience, PLAC IV experts Prof. Dr. Dragoslav Ivanišević and Prof. Dr. Ana Vuković Vimić spoke about how climate change is already affecting viticulture in Serbia, as well as why it is important to align local regulations in this field with EU rules. The host of the programme at the EU Pavilion was the European House Novi Sad. More information on other activities at the Pavilion and its programmes is available on their Facebook pagee and Instagram profile @evropskakucanovisad.
On behalf of the project, Team Leader Matjaž Logar said that the harmonisation of Serbian legislation with European standards, in addition to being a formal obligation in Serbia’s EU accession process, creates better conditions for the economy and citizens, while also enabling more effective responses to climate challenges.
Meteorologist Prof. Dr. Ana Vuković Vimić spoke about climate change and its impact on grape and wine production, stressing that rising temperatures are becoming the new normal and that heatwaves, as well as the risk of hail, will increasingly affect viticulture in Serbia.
“By the middle of the century, risks will continue to grow, but the professionals will know how to respond,” she said.
Prof. Ivanišević pointed out that Serbia already produces high quality wines, but that adapting to climate change will be necessary both in production and in planning the future development of the sector. He reminded the audience that certain grape varieties are already shifting northward, while irrigation and anti-hail nets are becoming an increasingly important part of modern production.
When it comes to wine, the presentation concluded with a tasting session, giving participants the opportunity to sample wines kindly provided by the Experimental Winery of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad. More about the role of the PLAC IV project in defining new climate viticultural zones in Serbia and preparing the new regulatory framework can be found in the article: New Climate Zones for Viticulture inSerbia: An Important Step Towards Alignment with the EU Wine Market.
The presentation of the PLAC IV project at the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad showed how closely linked the topics of European integration, agriculture and climate change are today, but also how important it is to bring these topics closer both to the expert community and to citizens in a clear and understandable way.
A PARTNERSHIP THAT DELIVERS RESULTS
For more than two decades, the EU has been Serbia’s strategic partner in the development of the agricultural sector. The value of Serbian agri-food exports to the EU increased from EUR 640 million in 2009 to EUR 2.5 billion in 2024. Around 50% of Serbia’s total agri-food exports go to the EU market of 450 million consumers.
The IPARD programme remains a key instrument of rural development. Through it, farms across Serbia are introducing new equipment, modern practices and building long-term competitiveness. The current IPARD III programme brings even more opportunities for Serbian farmers, who will have access to EUR 288 million in EU funds, which, together with the national contribution and the beneficiaries’ own co-financing, could generate a total effect of more than EUR 580 million
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