Skopje, 27 September 2023 (MIA) – The Macedonian market should not be secondary to the fruits and vegetable sellers when it comes to supplying these products, said Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi on Wednesday, warning that he will propose a complete scrapping of import costs on agricultural products, if exports continue to increase.

The Economy Minister said that significant exports of certain agricultural products have been noted since July, and noted that the Government has no intention to subsidize products for other countries.

“Seeing the data, both official and unofficial, we can see that the highest increase is in the prices of fruits and vegetables. The farmers are completely doing their job here, but for the sellers, and those who are covering our market and those who are exporting we have one message – they should not treat the Macedonian market as secondary when it comes to supplying it with fruits and vegetables. Concrete measures will follow as well,” said Bekteshi.

Bekteshi reiterated that the Government subsidizes farmers in order to increase production and ensure more competitive prices, stressing that the Government does not intend to subsidize products for other countries.

“Which is why I urge that the products that are meant to be placed on the domestic market are placed there. Otherwise, as the Ministry of Economy, we will not propose a reduction, but a complete scrapping of import costs on agricultural products because our goal is to protect the living standard of the citizens. We would do that through such decisions if exports of products aimed for the Macedonian market continue to grow,” said Bekteshi.

Анализата на Министерството за економија за реализацијата на мерките за намалување и замрзнување на цените на прехранбените производи и нивното влијание, како што соопшти, покажала дека заштедата на домаќинствата без мерките за пијалаците изнесува 2.070 денари.

The analysis of the Ministry of Economy of the implementation of the price cuts on food products and their impact, according to Bekteshi, has shown that households have saved Mden 2.070.