North Macedonia’s Meat Crisis: Imports Rise as Livestock Falls
A sharp drop in domestic livestock has pushed North Macedonia to rely heavily on imported meat.
North Macedonia, once known for its traditional livestock farming and rich agricultural output, is now facing a quiet but serious food crisis. The country’s meat shelves are filled with imports — not by choice, but out of necessity.
In recent years, the domestic livestock population has plummeted. Once-prized products like local lamb are becoming rare, and citizens are increasingly consuming beef and chicken from far-off countries like Brazil and Thailand. This shift has sparked skepticism over meat quality and food safety, especially among health-conscious consumers.
So, what’s driving this dramatic decline?
Experts point to a combination of structural issues. The rural population is shrinking as young people leave villages for cities — or leave the country entirely. Without a new generation of farmers to maintain herds and flocks, livestock numbers are in freefall. “We can’t even produce enough pork for industrial use,” says Professor Aleksandra Silloska Nikolloska from the Faculty of Agriculture in Skopje. “We don’t have the raw materials for processed meat.”
And meat isn’t the only concern. Today, North Macedonia imports more than 70% of its food — including milk, flour, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other basics — from neighbors like Serbia, Albania, Greece, and Turkey. At the same time, vast tracts of fertile land lie unused and uncultivated.
The dependence on food imports exposes the country to global price shocks, supply chain disruptions, and questions about food sovereignty. COVID-19 served as a wake-up call, highlighting just how fragile the current system is.
Is there a way out?
Some experts are cautiously optimistic. Biljana Ristaqoska Shirgovska, another professor from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, notes a growing interest among young people to return to farming and food production. But interest alone isn’t enough — a proper national strategy is urgently needed. This would include support for young farmers, investment in rural infrastructure, and incentives for local meat and food production.
Without swift action, North Macedonia risks losing not just its agricultural self-sufficiency — but also a vital part of its cultural identity.
Source: https://kosovapress.com/en/North-Macedonia-dependent-on-meat-imports