Potato market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in North Macedonia expanded from 183.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 197.1 thousand tons in 2020, with general agricultural sector challenges and climate conditions influencing domestic output. The growth in market volume was also supported during this period, including in 2020, by global supply chain and transportation disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected trade flows.

Following a contraction to 189.7 thousand tons in 2021, the market volume rebounded sharply to 205.4 thousand tons in 2022. This significant increase was primarily driven by a substantial rise in imports. Government interventions, specifically the extension of price-freezing measures on certain fruits and vegetables until May 2023, aimed at controlling consumer costs, provided a key market context alongside reported increases in production and transport expenses.

The market volume declined to 190.7 thousand tons in 2023. This downturn coincided with the continued influence of high production and transport costs and the impact of extreme global weather phenomena, such as El Niño, on agricultural yields and pricing. Broader national strategic plans for sustainable agricultural development were set from 2024, framing the longer-term policy environment.

Production potato in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

North Macedonia's potato production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 193.4 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a slight increase of 1.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

Exports potato from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Potato exports from North Macedonia reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of potatoes leaving the country totaled 3 246 tonnes, representing a 13.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 75.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for North Macedonia's potato exports in volume terms were Serbia, accounting for 44.0% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 15.8%, and Belarus at 9.6%. Together, these three countries made up 69.4% of total export flows.

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, North Macedonia's potato exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 209 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 9.5% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 38.6%, with an average annual rate of 11.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 335 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Serbia was the leading market for North Macedonia's potato exports in value terms, representing 41.1% of exports, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 16.8%, and Moldova at 8.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 66.6% 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 potato to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

Potato imports into North Macedonia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 6 891 tonnes, indicating a sharp rise of 42.8% from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.4%, averaging an annual decline of 5.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 4 719 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 42.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia was the largest source of potato imports into North Macedonia in volume terms, making up 45.9% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 13.3%, and Croatia at 11.8%. Together, these three countries comprised 70.9% of total import flows.

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

Potato imports into North Macedonia have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 2 100 thousand US dollars, showing a small uptick of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 869 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary source of potato imports into North Macedonia in value terms, accounting for 44.2% of imports, followed by Serbia at 26.8%, and Croatia at 6.4%. These three countries together represented 77.4% 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