Serbia: Damage to crops from drought to exceed USD 1bn

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The drought has reduced agricultural output by about 20 percent compared to the average annual yield, and by 30 percent compared to the previous, record year.

That is why the lost value exceeds a billion dollars, says Milan Prostran, an agriculture expert.

He told the Beta agency that this damage from this year's hot weather should be compared to years that had the average yield, "because it is more correct than making a comparison to a record year, like the previous one."

"The average annual agriculture production value in Serbia ranges from five to six billion dollars," Prostran said.

He added that by the end of the season, the situation could improve - but could also worsen - and that the rain, which fell on Saturday in much of the country, has helped the plants recover a little.

"High temperatures have mostly destroyed corn, that makes...