SDSM proposes 4 billion denar emergency aid for farmers

Opposition MPs from SDSM have submitted a draft law demanding immediate financial support for North Macedonia's agricultural sector worth four billion denars, or over 65 million euros, to be taken from the state budget. The proposal was registered in the Assembly on 29 September 2026 and its authors say the aim is to soften the severe impact of the economic crisis on crop and livestock producers.

"The need for such a legislative proposal arises from the market situation in 2026, especially for wheat, rice, wine grapes and horticultural products, where purchase prices in certain sectors do not cover production costs," the draft law states.

Key measures in the draft

The proposal foresees targeted payments for specific crops and livestock. It requests an extra 8 denars per kilogram for sold grapes of the Vranec and Kratoshija varieties (including support for registered vineyards that were not purchased), additional aid for the so‑called "ajvarka" pepper, and payments for wheat, rice paddy and cattle for milk and meat production.

• Grapes: 8 denars per kg for sold Vranec and Kratoshija grapes, plus help for registered vineyards that did not secure purchase.
• Wheat: 5 denars per kg for sold or stored wheat; producers say production costs exceed 20 denars/kg, while buying prices in Pelagonia in August 2026 were around 9.5–10 denars/kg.
• Rice: 10 denars per kg for produced and sold rice paddy; reported buying prices ranged 18–20 denars/kg and there remain roughly 10,000 tonnes unsold from the prior two harvests.
• Ajvarka pepper: 10 denars per kg plus 200,000 denars per hectare for planted surfaces, intended to compensate for failed market purchase agreements.
• Cattle: 8,000 denars per head for cattle used in milk and meat production, conditional on the animal having received support in 2025 and being registered to the beneficiary in 2026.

According to calculations referenced in the draft, production cost for the Vranec variety was determined at 21.8 denars per kilogram in July 2026 based on the methodology of the Agricultural Institute – Skopje; the proposed grape payment of 8 denars/kg would raise receipts but not fully cover the stated production cost. For wheat, even with the proposed 5 denars/kg top‑up, producers receiving roughly 9.5–10 denars/kg would reach about 14.5–15 denars/kg—still below the reported production cost above 20 denars/kg.

Proponents argue the package would provide immediate income and greater economic viability for affected producers and help secure domestic food supplies. Because the initiative comes from the opposition, its fate depends on whether the ruling majority in the Assembly will approve the amendments; farmers remain uncertain while MPs negotiate.

Photo: press material from the event