SDSM accuses Mickoski government of agricultural collapse

The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s administration of causing a collapse in the nation's agricultural sector. According to the opposition, farmers are facing rising production costs alongside a significant drop in purchase prices for crops and livestock products.

Key grievances cited by SDSM include a reduction of approximately 40 million euros in agricultural support, unpaid or reduced subsidies, and delays in providing green diesel cards. Specific sectors mentioned as being in crisis include tobacco, peppers, grapes, and milk. The opposition also noted that the European Union has frozen IPARD funds due to suspicions of misuse of European funds by the current government.

Economic data cited indicates that while agricultural production costs rose by 6.8 percent over one year, purchase prices for agricultural products fell by 2.2 percent. Specifically, fruit and grape prices dropped by 7.2 percent, vegetables by 6.4 percent, and animal products by 7.7 percent.