SDSM proposes immediate price increases and intervention purchase for Tikveš grapes

Opposition SDSM representative Fani Karanfilova-Panovska urged urgent parliamentary measures after visiting Kavadarci, saying grape growers in the Tikveš region face failed purchases and plunging prices while the government has not protected their work. She directly questioned Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s presence at today’s Tikveš harvest festivities given the unresolved crisis in the vineyards.

Party proposes higher floor prices and emergency buy-up

Karanfilova-Panovska announced that SDSM will table emergency legal measures in the Assembly to raise procurement prices to 28 denars per kilogram for Vranec and 25 denars per kilogram for Smederevka. The party will also propose an intervention purchase, with special emphasis on Vranec, and the removal of the eight-percent price reduction that is currently applied when payment is made within eight days.

She warned that the situation for Vranec is particularly alarming and that growers are running out of time. "The grapes are still in the fields. Growers complain that Vranec, if not purchased within the next 2–3 days, will be completely lost, the crop will become unusable," she said.

Karanfilova-Panovska demanded guaranteed procurement for all grapes this year. "We will demand guaranteed purchase for the entire grape crop this year," she added.

The SDSM deputy also protested that their municipal council adviser Vuko Melov was summoned to a police station after a Facebook post, framing the action as pressure and intimidation toward those who raise concerns about farmers’ rights. She said the government is increasingly resorting to such measures as popular dissatisfaction grows.

Last month SDSM leader Venko Filipche announced the party’s parliamentary group would submit a bill to increase the procurement price of all wine and table grape varieties by 5 denars per kilogram.

Photo: press material from the event