North Macedonia agriculture shows rising yields amid shrinking land and economic pressure

North Macedonia agriculture crop yields farming economics agricultural land use Levica political party

Agricultural data from North Macedonia shows a 2.5% decrease in total agricultural land between 2015 and 2025. While total area has shrunk, overall production for key crops like wheat and barley has increased due to improved yields per hectare. Specifically, wheat production rose by 27% despite an 11% reduction in planted area. Conversely, rice has seen a significant decline, with both planted area and production dropping by approximately 37-39%.

Political opposition group Levica has criticized the current economic state of the sector, noting a sharp decline in the value of purchases from individual farmers. They report that in the first quarter of 2026, purchase values fell by over 46.2%. Levica further highlighted a squeeze on farmers, noting that production costs rose by 7% in August while output prices fell by over 2% compared to the previous year. The group contrasted this with state support for the wine industry, which includes a 12.9 million euro credit line through the Development Bank.

Entities

Development Bank · Levica · North Macedonia · State Statistical Office

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Agricultural land in North Macedonia decreased by approximately 2.5% between 2015 and 2025. ekonomijaibiznis.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] In August, prices for agricultural production inputs rose by 7% while output prices were over 2% lower than in August 2025. vocentar.com · zoom.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rice planted area in North Macedonia fell by 39% and production fell by 37%. ekonomijaibiznis.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The value of purchases from individual agricultural producers in North Macedonia fell by over 46.2% in the first quarter of 2026. vocentar.com · zoom.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Wheat production in North Macedonia increased by 27% despite an 11% decrease in planted area. ekonomijaibiznis.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] Agricultural input costs rose by 7% in August, while output prices were over 2% lower than in August 2025. vocentar.com · zoom.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The Development Bank has planned a credit line of approximately 12.9 million euros for wineries. vocentar.com · zoom.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rice planted area decreased by 39% and production fell by 37%. ekonomijaibiznis.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The value of purchases from individual farmers fell by over 46.2% in the first quarter of 2026. vocentar.com · zoom.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Wheat production increased by 27% despite an 11% decrease in planted area due to higher yields. ekonomijaibiznis.mk