Forage products market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the forage products market in North Macedonia showed relative stability, with domestic production holding steady around 2 887 t per year. Market volume experienced moderate declines, falling from 2 937 t in 2018 to 2 865 t in 2019 and 2 816 t in 2020, reflecting minor adjustments in trade flows.

The market shifted notably in 2021, when a surge in exports to 476 t reduced domestic availability, pulling market volume down to 2 448 t. During this period, regional trade patterns were influenced by ongoing imports of genetically modified (GM) protein feeds and ingredients, primarily from South America and the United States, which affected feed supply structures. In 2022, market volume rebounded sharply to 2 927 t, as exports normalized to 54 t and imports increased. This recovery was driven by global factors, including continued COVID‑19 pandemic effects and geopolitical tensions, which disrupted international trade and raised prices for fast‑moving goods, including forage products.

By 2023, the market stabilized again, with volume edging down slightly to 2 881 t amid steady production. The period from 2021 to 2023 highlighted how external trade dynamics and global supply chain conditions significantly impacted domestic market volume.

Production forage products in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia ranked 24th globally in forage products production.

Top producers of forage products, 2017-2020

World map of production of forage products, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, North Macedonia's forage products production declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2 889 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output was 2 884 tonnes, showing minimal change from 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, at 0.4%.

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

Exports forage products from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, kg

North Macedonia's exports of forage products grew for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 38 540 kilograms, marking a 22.3% decline. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase at 57.5%. By 2020, exports totaled 71 860 kilograms, reflecting an 18.4% rise compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 44.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 13.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania and Serbia were the primary destinations for North Macedonia's forage products exports, together accounting for 77.5% 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, $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. In 2018, export value reached its minimum at 4 449 US dollars, with a 5.6% decline. By 2020, export value surged to 17 175 US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 193.1% year-over-year. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, export values varied by a factor of 3.9.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania and Serbia dominated North Macedonia's forage products exports in value terms, jointly representing 85.4% of total export flows.

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 forage products to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes showed significant volatility. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point. The following year, 2018, saw imports peak at 88 311 kilograms, marking a substantial increase of 5,284.8%. By 2020, imports dropped sharply to 3 560 kilograms, a 90.3% decrease compared to 2019. Overall, from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2017, imports changed by a factor of 54.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece consistently accounted for 78.4% of North Macedonia's forage products imports in volume terms, indicating high market concentration, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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, $ US

Import values were volatile during these years. In 2017, values were at their lowest. The following year, 2018, saw the maximum value at 9 249 US dollars, with a 194.7% increase. By 2020, import value fell to 5 387 US dollars, a sharp drop of 40.8% year-over-year. From the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2017, import values varied by a factor of 2.9.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy (34.1% of import value), Greece (29.7% of import value), and Russia (10.3% of import value) were the main sources for North Macedonia's forage products imports, together accounting for 74.1% of total import value.

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

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