For retail sale medicaments with vitamins market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for retail sale medicaments with vitamins in North Macedonia underwent significant regulatory changes starting in 2018, with the introduction of a digital Register for Persons with Rare Diseases and amendments to the Law on Medicines and Medical Devices aimed at improving quality, safety, and market access. These foundational shifts set the stage for subsequent market movements. Import values fluctuated during this initial period, falling to USD 4.1 million in 2019 before recovering to USD 4.7 million in 2020 and reaching USD 4.9 million in 2021. Correspondingly, domestic production saw modest growth, rising from USD 1.4 million in 2020 to USD 1.4 million in 2021. This culminated in a notable expansion of the total market volume, which increased by 17% to USD 5.9 million in 2021.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with the market volume falling by 31% to USD 4.0 million. This decline was primarily driven by a significant drop in imports, which fell by one-third to USD 3.3 million. The downturn coincided with continued regulatory efforts by the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (MALMED) to strengthen control and oversight of medicines and dietary supplements, which likely constrained import flows. While the COVID-19 pandemic sustained consumer interest in vitamins for health and immunity, this demand factor was outweighed by the regulatory tightening affecting market supply.

Market volume showed relative stabilization in 2023, edging down by a modest 2.5% to USD 3.9 million. This period was influenced by the publication of a new Rulebook amending the methodology for the list of medicines reimbursed by the Health Insurance Fund, affecting drug prices and access. In 2024, the regulatory landscape evolved further with revised rulebooks for medicine reference prices aimed at system sustainability and a landmark change permitting the sale of OTC vitamins in supermarkets and gas stations, fundamentally altering traditional distribution. The entry and investment of retailer dm drogerie markt signaled growing retail competition. These developments unfolded alongside a continued decline in import value, which fell to USD 3.0 million in 2024.

Production for retail sale medicaments with vitamins in North Macedonia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports for retail sale medicaments with vitamins from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, kg

Exports of foreign retail medicaments with vitamins from North Macedonia grew for the second year in a row. In 2019, the volume stood at 23,556 kg, followed by a 31.5% increase to 30,977 kg in 2020. The lowest point in the 2017-2020 period was in 2018 at 14,295 kg, which marked a 12.6% decline from the previous year. The largest surge occurred in 2019, with a 64.7% jump. Overall, exports rose by 89.4% from 2017 to 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 23.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iraq remained the top buyers of retail medicaments with vitamins from North Macedonia. Serbia accounted for 26.3% of exports in volume, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 23.7%, and Iraq for 8.5%. Together, these three countries made up 58.5% of total exports in kind.

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

Exports of retail medicaments with vitamins from North Macedonia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, the value was $604,000, which surged by 73.2% to $1,046,000 in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 111.9%, translating to an average annual rate of 28.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Iraq led as the main buyers of retail medicaments with vitamins from North Macedonia in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina held a 31.5% share, Serbia 30.1%, and Iraq 5.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 67.0% 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 for retail sale medicaments with vitamins to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, kg

Imports of retail medicaments with vitamins into North Macedonia reached 85,339 kg in 2020, up 1.6% from 83,956 kg in 2019. The peak volume was in 2018 at 91,100 kg, which was a 15.6% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 7.8% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.3%, averaging 2.7% per year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Slovenia, and the United States were the leading suppliers of retail medicaments with vitamins to North Macedonia in volume. Serbia contributed 22.4% of imports, Slovenia 18.2%, and the United States 18.0%. Together, they accounted for 58.6% of total imports in kind.

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

In 2020, imports of retail medicaments with vitamins into North Macedonia totaled $4,664,000, a 12.5% rise from $4,146,000 in 2019. The largest increase was in 2018 at 14.8%, while the biggest decline was in 2019 at 4.4%. Overall, imports increased by 23.4% from 2017 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

The import market for retail medicaments with vitamins in North Macedonia was diverse from 2017 to 2020. Serbia, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the top suppliers in value terms, with shares of 14.0%, 12.8%, and 12.6%, respectively. However, their combined share was only 39.4%, while the remaining 60.6% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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