Olive cultivation expands in North Macedonia's Valandovo region

The Valandovo region in North Macedonia is exploring the potential of olive cultivation as a new agricultural crop. During the recent olive harvest in Terzeli, Minister of Agriculture Borce Serafimovski noted that while olives are not yet a widespread crop in the country, rising average temperatures due to climate change may create suitable conditions for their expansion.

Successful large-scale production will require scientific assessments of soil, water availability, and local climate conditions. Beyond fruit production, the industry offers opportunities for processing and the development of high-value olive oil, which could increase domestic income and economic value.

In the Terzeli area, the brand Terzeli is producing ultra-premium extra virgin olive oil using modern technology and specialized mechanization. Milan Ivanovski, owner of Biobotanika, stated that the goal is to move beyond primary production toward high-value products that can position Macedonian quality on the global market. The production process utilizes extraction at temperatures below 28°C to preserve the natural properties of the fruit.