North Macedonia

The Republic of North Macedonia is a landlocked country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991. The Republic of North Macedonia is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. It has a total surface of 25.713 km2 and total population of about 2.04 million. The country’s capital is Skopje.
North Macedonia is a member of the Council of Europe. Since December 2005 it has also been a candidate for joining the European Union. Opening of accession negotiations between North Macedonia and the EU were recommended by the EC since October 2009. Free Trade Agreements with the EU and many other countries, provide free access of goods produced in North Macedonia to markets in 41 countries with 650 million consumers.

The agricultural area takes up 12.370 km2 or 48% of the total area of the Republic of North Macedonia, out of which around 40 % is arable land. The agriculture has been significant for the national economy of the
Republic of North Macedonia. The share of agriculture in the GDP is about 9% (average 2008-2013), two thirds of which are covered by crop production and the remainder by livestock production. The total share of the agro-food sector, coupled with the food processing industry including beverages and tobacco, accounts for 13% of the GDP.
The combination of Continental and Sub-Mediterranean climates, fertile soil and long-lasting tradition in farming, makes Macedonia one of the leading agricultural producers of quality and tasteful products in SEEC region. North Macedonia produces a wide range of crops and other foodstuffs. One of the most competitive are groups of vegetables (tomato, peppers, cabbages, cucumbers and melons with annual production of 900.000 tones), fruits (apples, peaches, plumbs and nuts of 170.000 tons annually) as well as the products made of processed vegetables and fruits (of 50.000 tons per year produced by 50 factories which have larger capacity that allows further increase of the production).

North Macedonia is traditional grape yard region since ancient times with high quality wine and exceptional export potential. Geographical position is comparable to wine regions in Italy, France and Spain and the annual production of 150 million litters is mostly exported worldwide. The country has traditionally been an exporter of quality lamb meat and oriental small-leafs tobacco which is considered as the most important export product.
The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia warmly welcomes and strongly supports the foreign investments in the Macedonian agricultural and food sector, especially in F&V production, processing and marketing, in greenhouse production (incl. energized by available in the country geothermal energy), in wineries, production of lamb meat, poultry and beef and as well as the production of honey, organic products and horticulture.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Managment of the Republic of North Macedonia