Deal #7026 Version 77807 Version 86866
Size under contract (leased or purchased area)
  • [2019, current] 1600.0 ha
  • [2019, current] 1621 ha
Intention of investment
  • [current] Food crops
  • [current] Food crops, Tourism
Comment on intention of investment
Before the investor's arrival, the company had livestock capacities (particularly pig farms) but Yugo Elite Agro sold the pig farm right after the company's assets acquisition. Currently, the operating company is described as agro-tourism complex with stables and horse racing events.
Nature of the deal
Outright purchase
Outright purchase, Lease
Comment on nature of the deal
It owns 114 hectares and 1,507 hectares in a long-term lease (15 or 20 years).
Comment on negotiation status
Elite Agro in Serbia founded the company Yugo Elite Agro (Yugo Elite Agro) , which was bought in 2014 by the agricultural company "Zobnatica".
Comment on implementation status
The project was operational before foreign investor took over the land
Annual leasing fee
212
Annual leasing fee currency
Euro (€)
Annual leasing fee type
PER_HA
Comment on leasing fee
Backa Topola rented out the fields to "Zobnatica" at prices ranging from 212 to 265 euros per hectare
Actors involved in the negotiation / admission process
  • Government of Serbia Government / state institutions (government, ministries, departments, agencies etc.)
Comment on investment chain
The interstate agreement between Serbia and the United Arab Emirates from 2013 states that contracts, agreements, projects with the UAE are not subject to public procurement and tender procedures or other procedures defined by the national regulations of the Republic of Serbia
Negative impacts for local communities
Environmental degradation
Comment on negative impacts for local communities
Several media reports claimed that after the acquisition, the new investor had changed the crop activity of the operating company, trying to cultivate blueberry on 200 ha best nutrient land plots. However, neither the climate nor the soil composition is conducive to the development of the said plant. The Arabs are said to be using a worrying amount of dangerous chemicals in hopes of better yields. Also, according to some information, horses at the company are neglected and treated unprofessionally, resulting in an increasing number of deaths.
Former land owner
Private (smallholders), Private (large-scale farm)
Comment on former land owner
Before the arrival of the Arabs in "Zobnatica", this company was the subject of controversial privatizations, and when it was bought by Elite Agro in 2014, it had 464 shareholders - 23.25 percent of shares were owned by individuals, and 76.76 percent in owned by legal entities.
Crops area/yield/export
  • Fruit (unspecified) [current]
  • Fruit (unspecified), Potatoes, Wheat, Corn (Maize), Other crops [current]
Comment on crops
Blueberry (250 ha orchard)
Water extraction envisaged
Yes
Use of irrigation infrastructure
Yes
Comment on use of irrigation infrastructure
drop by drop system
Fully updated
No
Yes

Location #oQSok3IV

Spatial accuracy level
Approximate location
Location
Mali Beograd, БСрбія
Point
Lat: 45.88717
Lng: 19.6339
Description
All plots leased to AD "Zobnatici" in the municipality of Bačka Topola are in the cadastral municipality of Mali Beograd

Data source #pG3Jgtc4

File

Data source #vAnTZ6R3

File

Data source #ycEAC9QD

File

Data source #q1umnry5

File
Type
Research Paper / Policy Report
Url
Keep PDF not public
No
Publication title
al dahra and elite agro plow about 29,000 hectares, al ravafed is no longer the boss
Date
2019-04-26
Comment on data source
Arabian investment in Serbia, former use, nature of the deal info, etc.

Data source #2DPaceqJ

File
Type
Company sources
Url
Keep PDF not public
No
Comment on data source
Water info

Data source #4iZ60MaK

File
Type
Media report
Url
Keep PDF not public
No
Date
2020-04-24
Comment on data source
Intention of investment, produce info,etc.

Data source #jmlIPcku

File
Type
Media report
Url
Keep PDF not public
No
Publication title
The Arabs sold pigs in Zobnatica, they are building a blueberry plantation
Date
2016-11-02
Comment on data source
Intention of investment, land area

Data source #WrAFVmtg

File
Type
Media report
Url
Keep PDF not public
No
Publication title
2019-11-13
Comment on data source
Negative impact