Macedonian products reach Lidl shelves across Europe

Macedonian food producers have begun placing products in Lidl stores across several European countries, opening new export routes while requiring firms to meet strict quality and safety standards to access the chain’s shelves.

German ambassador Petra Drexler recently visited production sites in Radovish — Bestfood TI and Mlekarnica Gjorgievi — where both companies are already supplying or preparing to supply goods through Lidl’s network.

Bestfood TI has worked with Lidl since 2023, producing items from beetroot, peppers and feferoni for the Lidl Freshona private label. Their products have been sold during Macedonian promotional weeks in Bulgaria, Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia. Mlekarnica Gjorgievi is set to start manufacturing dairy for the Pilos brand, which will create an additional channel for foreign markets.

High standards, new investments

Cooperating with a major European retailer carries requirements beyond securing shelf space: producers must comply with demanding criteria on quality, safety and traceability, hold appropriate certifications and undergo regular independent audits covering everything from raw materials and production conditions to final product checks. "When a local company begins producing for Lidl's private label, it enters a system with high demands for quality, safety and traceability. Meeting those criteria requires investment and improvement, but it makes companies more competitive and better prepared for European markets," said Stefan Georgiev, commercial director at Lidl North Macedonia.

Companies in Radovish say the Lidl partnership prompted concrete upgrades. "The cooperation with Lidl was a strong incentive to further improve our production. To meet the strict standards, we invested in new equipment, technology and quality control systems. This alignment not only raised our standards, but made us a more competitive and stable partner, ready for any European market," said Krste Gjorgiev, manager of Bestfood TI. Mlekarnica Gjorgievi has also invested in new equipment and automation, applying standards across the process from purchasing raw sheep and goat milk from local farms to final product inspection. "The start of production for the Pilos brand is a significant step for our dairy and for our cooperators," said Adriana Paneva, director of Mlekarnica Gjorgievi.

Lidl has invested more than €200 million in modern infrastructure in North Macedonia. In 2025, exports of Macedonian products through Lidl's network reached €15.5 million. Company representatives and the ambassador say these numbers show that meeting European standards — not just interest in Macedonian goods — opens the door to much larger markets.

Both producers plan further modernization and automation to respond to rising demand at home and abroad, viewing compliance with European norms as the pathway to sustained export growth.

Photo: Lidl)