Reference Regions

Reference Regions » Dinaric Mountains (Serbia)

Dinaric Mountains (Serbia)

Description of the Reference Region

The Dinaric Alps belong to Western Serbia, a large mountain range in southeastern Europe. The project’s activities take place in this region in Sjenica/Pester Plateau, a rural area where the predominant economic activity is agriculture, with an emphasis on livestock production (cattle and sheep).

There are several natural protected areas, including the Pestersko polje (plateau) reserve, the largest and highest karst field of the Balkan Peninsula.

Selected Value Chain

The selected value chain (VC) is Dinaric Alps – Sjenica lamb Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The Sjenica sheep is a local autochthonous breed that provides high-quality meat and also milk (used for PDO Sjenica cheese). Other PDO product is Sjenica stelja (dried sheep meat). The wool is also of good quality.

There are some processing companies and slaughterhouses in the area. The derived products, and specifically lamb, are mainly sold on local and regional markets, while there is a growing interest in export. Due to local habits and demand, processors are Halal certified, which is an additional advantage in targeting markets and customers specifically requesting this standard.

Further innovation and investment along the value chain is needed to really capture the added value in the region.

Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) members

The platform in Sjenica and Pester Plateau brings together different actors representing local, regional and national institutions and authorities, organisations, advisors, academics and researchers.