Chestnuts market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The chestnut market in North Macedonia showed significant volatility in volume from 2018 to 2023. After an initial increase to 1 139 tons in 2019, the market contracted sharply by roughly 33% to 766 tons in 2020. This was followed by a strong rebound of nearly 60% in 2021, reaching a peak of 1 224 tons.

Following the 2021 high, market volume eased to 1 054 tons in 2022 and remained relatively stable at 1 071 tons in 2023. In value terms, the market mirrored this pattern, with the highest value recorded at 1.35 million USD in 2021 before settling at a similar level in 2023.

Production chestnuts in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

North Macedonia ranked 15th globally in chestnut production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, North Macedonia produced 1,464 tonnes of chestnuts, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,511 tonnes, which represented a 5.4% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of chestnut production in North Macedonia reached $1.685 million, up 1.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 6.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $1.823 million, reflecting a 15.3% increase that year. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, with a 9.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chestnuts from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

Chestnut exports from North Macedonia showed significant fluctuations during the period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export volumes stood at 892.0 tonnes, representing a sharp 56.9% year-over-year increase. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 20.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, with a 149.6% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for North Macedonia's chestnut exports in volume terms were Hungary, accounting for 56.1% of exports, Italy with 18.2%, and Serbia at 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 84.2% of total export volumes.

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

Export values for chestnuts from North Macedonia experienced notable volatility. The lowest point was in 2017, with the peak reached in 2020, showing a 3.2-fold difference. In 2020, export value amounted to $1.027 million, a substantial 58.2% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 24.8%, while the highest increase was in 2018, with a 173.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary led the export structure in value terms with 57.6% of exports, followed by Italy at 20.6% and Serbia at 6.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 84.3% of total export value.

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 chestnuts to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, chestnut imports into North Macedonia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 193.7 tonnes, a steep 25.3% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 35.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 259.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 49.8% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the primary source for chestnut imports into North Macedonia in volume terms, accounting for 80.5% of total imports. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

Following a two-year rise, North Macedonia's chestnut import value decreased. In 2020, imports totaled $214,000, a sharp 28.0% decline year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at $297,000, which also experienced the largest increase of 40.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Greece together dominated North Macedonia's chestnut imports in value terms, capturing 82.1% of the total. The remaining imports were distributed thinly across other markets.

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

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