Macedonia's dairy farmers face crisis after subsidies cut and milk purchase price slashed

Opposition parties in North Macedonia say the government has reduced agricultural subsidies by €40 million and lowered the purchase price for milk by 46 percent, paying only about 0.20 denars per litre. The SDSM claims two dairies in the Delčevo region have stopped buying milk, leaving many livestock producers without a market. Delayed payments of profit subsidies and milk premiums have added to the hardship, while retail prices for milk and dairy products continue to rise. The party accuses Minister Mitskovski of neglecting farmers and prioritising other spending ahead of agriculture.

The opposition demands immediate state intervention to secure purchase guarantees and to restore support measures for dairy producers, warning that the sector could collapse without corrective action.