USDA Helps Serbian Grape Growers and Winemaking Industry

February 1, 2008

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, in collaboration with the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, will conduct a field assessment of the Serbian grape growing and winemaking industry February 4-15, 2008.

U.S. experts Peter Bell of Cornell University and Mark Chien of Penn State University, will visit several grape growing regions and wine facilities to conduct the assessment. This project is a direct follow-up of a wine study-tour in the California Napa Valley conducted with Serbian counterparts in October 2007.

The goal of the assessment is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Serbian wine industry and develop a plan for technical assistance and capacity building activity to increase the efficiency of the Serbian wine production facilities. This project is part of a larger program funded by American people to assist agricultural industries and rural development in Serbia.

For more information contact the Agricultural Affairs Office at the American Embassy in Belgrade, Ms. Dragana Dimitrijevic or Mr. Zlatko Jovanovic, at 011 306 4802.