Packaging costs up to 30% higher — Macedonian firms under pressure
At the annual Macedonian Stock Exchange conference companies cited rising energy and transport costs; economists suggested fuel vouchers as a mitigation measure.
Packaging costs have jumped by as much as 30%, putting Macedonian companies under renewed pressure from a global cost shock that has pushed up energy and transport prices.
At the annual Macedonian Stock Exchange conference, representatives of major firms said operating expenses have risen sharply in recent months, with higher freight and fuel bills hitting margins.
Zhivko Mukaetov, general manager of Alkaloid, said that rising energy prices have pushed up the cost of materials and packaging.
Economists propose targeted relief
Economists at the event warned that, if the crisis persists, targeted measures should be considered to ease the burden on businesses. "If the crisis continues, fuel vouchers should be introduced, and later, if necessary, for other products as well," they suggested.
They also stressed that, for now, the economy has not officially slipped into a recession and urged policymakers to monitor developments closely while preparing contingency measures.
In a 12:30 news bulletin, reporting from Ohrid, Irena Chachkova summarised the main points from the conference and the concerns voiced by company leaders.
Photo: press material from the event
