North Macedonia exported 11 million kg of tomatoes and 2.5 million kg of cucumbers in June–July

Customs figures for June and July show North Macedonia exported far more fresh vegetables than it imported: 11 million kilograms of tomatoes and 2.5 million kilograms of cucumbers and gherkins left the country in that two‑month period, while imports were 700,000 kg of tomatoes and 280,000 kg of cucumbers.

The export of cucumbers and gherkins generated a foreign‑exchange inflow of 2.2 million euros, while tomato exports brought in nearly 7 million euros. For the imported quantities the country paid 274,000 euros for cucumbers and about 370,000 euros for tomatoes. Average prices calculated from those flows were 55.5 denars per kilogram for exported cucumbers and 60 denars for imported ones; for tomatoes the average export price was 39 denars and the average import price 33 denars.

Markets, grades and where produce goes

Blazho Vitanov, who works for the distribution and trade company Imperator Fruit, says tomatoes traditionally head to neighbouring markets. "When export used to be carried out, the tomato went to our traditional markets, which are Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria. There usually goes 70 to 80 percent of tomato exports. Gherkins mainly go to the domestic canning industry. Now first class is bought at 65 denars per kilogram, second at 30 and third at 20 denars per kilogram. Some cucumbers are now exported to Austria and Germany," Vitanov explained.

Imperator Fruit is also buying red peppers at the moment. Vitanov gave the current pickup prices as 40 denars for first class, 35 for second and 25 for industrial (third class) per kilogram. He said red pepper is being shipped to Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland.

On the low prices for peppers Vitanov commented: "Although I am a purchaser, I say that pepper is sold at a very low price. To work now in a greenhouse at this temperature and get 25 denars is a catastrophe. These are not peppers produced outdoors, they are from greenhouses. But price is determined by supply and demand."

Vitanov also noted the red pepper season is earlier this year: "Red pepper has already been exported for forty days. The collection started at 100 denars. For industrial needs the export and collection start on 5/10 August." He added that canning factories often conclude purchase contracts and sometimes source cheaper raw materials from abroad, noting: "North Macedonia is a CEFTA member. On a free market some companies find cheaper vegetables. The rules are such."

Farmers in the Strumica region have been protesting for days over the purchase price of the Kurtovska Kapija pepper variety. Whether and how much of the current crop will be sold to foreign canners will become clear after the season for making ajvar and other preserves ends.

Photo: press material from the event