Serbia outlaws some food exports

BELGRADE, Serbia, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Serbian officials said Friday they have outlawed exporting several crops as the Balkan nation faces a spike in commodities prices.

Farmers hammered by drought lost about half their annual yield and will be forced to sell their crops domestically, a step Serbian Agriculture Minister Goran Knezevic said would help bring down high costs for simple products.

Specifically, sugar beet, sunflower and soybean crops will be allowed to be exported, Tanjug reported.

Knezevic also pledged Serbia, making a bid for membership in the eurozone, will invest in more agriculture infrastructure such as irrigation systems to increase production. The minister also pledged a greater fight to root out corruption in the system.