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Balkan Insight (19 August 2026)

Katarina Baletic

The hit to cargo transport from a dramatic drop in Danube water levels will be felt across the Serbian economy for months to come, experts warn.

Severe drought has slowed cargo transport on the Serbian stretch of the Danube almost to a halt, impacting supply chains and likely driving up prices.

In July, Elixir Group, operator of one of the country’s main Danube ports, Prahovo, reported an increase of roughly 31 per cent year-on-year in the amount of cargo it handled. That all changed towards the end of the month, when the water level at Prahovo fell 45 centimetres between July 17 and August 18, forcing barge operators to drastically reduce the loads they carry.

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