Rice producers in North Macedonia face crisis as prices drop

Fani Karanfilova Panovska, Deputy President of SDSM, has warned that rice producers in the Kočani region face a catastrophic situation due to plummeting purchase prices and rising production costs. During the ‘Days of Kočani Rice’ event in Gorni Podlog, she noted that rice is currently being purchased for only 16 denars per kilogram, a significant drop from the 42 denars per kilogram seen in 2021.

Producers are struggling with increased expenses for fuel, fertilizers, and machinery, compounded by a lack of available buyers. Karanfilova Panovska stated that without urgent intervention, farmers may be unable to afford planting for the next season.

To address the crisis, SDSM has submitted a law to the Assembly proposing additional financial support of 10 denars per kilogram of produced and purchased rice. The party is calling on the ruling majority, including VMRO-DPMNE and the government coalition, to support this measure and secure necessary funds through the year-end budget rebalance to ensure continued domestic food production.