Cabbages market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in North Macedonia expanded to 118.5 thousand tons in 2019 before contracting to 110.3 thousand tons in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic altered consumer patterns, accelerating a shift toward online shopping and creating disruptions in food supply chains, which contributed to the decline in domestic market volume.

The downward trend continued through 2023, with the market shrinking to 72.1 thousand tons. In 2022, high inflation and increased production costs reduced consumer purchasing power, while a cabbage shortage in other European markets boosted export opportunities, diverting supply away from domestic consumption. By 2023, consumer interest in purchasing cabbage weakened further due to elevated prices and economic uncertainty.

By 2024, cabbage exports from North Macedonia reached 66.2 thousand tons, indicating sustained external demand, although the domestic market volume had been declining through the preceding years.

Production cabbages in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

In 2020, North Macedonia produced 168.5 thousand tonnes of cabbages, marking a slight decline of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, at 4.5%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cabbages from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, cabbage exports from North Macedonia rebounded in 2020. The country exported 58 278 tonnes of cabbages that year, representing a 5.2% increase over 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports fell by 4.9%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 55 392 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria were the top buyers of cabbages from North Macedonia, accounting for 14.0%, 11.9%, and 8.1% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 34.1% of total exports, indicating a diversified market structure with no single dominant destination.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of cabbage exports from North Macedonia fell in 2020. Exports totaled 14 561 thousand US dollars that year, a sharp drop of 43.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 25 867 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 38.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, no single country dominated the value of cabbage exports from North Macedonia. Poland, Romania, and Serbia were the leading markets, with shares of 15.3%, 14.8%, and 7.6% of export value, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 37.7% of total exports, while the remainder was distributed among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

Cabbage imports into North Macedonia declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 102 tonnes of cabbages, down 50.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports plummeted by 72.2%, averaging an annual decrease of 34.7%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 451 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 23.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 54.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania was the primary supplier of cabbages to North Macedonia, holding 78.6% of total imports in volume. The remaining imports were spread across various other countries, reflecting a concentrated sourcing structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cabbage imports into North Macedonia amounted to 42 thousand US dollars, a sharp reduction of 60.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 263 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 119.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Albania remained the main source for cabbage imports in value terms, accounting for 77.1% of total import flows. The rest of the imports were fragmented across many other destinations, highlighting a reliance on a single major supplier.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020