Agriculture and food in North Macedonia

Agriculture in North Macedonia

North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a country located in the Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in September 1991 under the name Republic of Macedonia. A landlocked country, North Macedonia has borders with Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. It constitutes approximately the northern third of the larger geographical region of Macedonia. Skopje, the capital and largest city, is home to a quarter of the country's 2.06 million inhabitants. The majority of the residents are ethnic Macedonians, South Slavic people. Albanians form a significant minority at around 25%, followed by Turks, Romani, Serbs, Bulgarians, and others. Macedonian is the official language of North Macedonia, while Albanian has regional status in the country. English is widely spoken throughout the country. North Macedonia covers an area of 25,713 km2 (9,928 sq mi), making it the smallest of the Balkan countries. It is one of the most mountainous countries in the Balkans with more than 50% of its territory covered by mountains. The Albanian Alps dominate the western border while the Olympus range forms a large part of the country's eastern boundary. Three major lakes — Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran — lie along the country's southwestern border. North Macedonia is a member of the United Nations (since 1993), the Council of Europe (since 1995), NATO (since 2004), the World Trade Organization (since 2004) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It is also an official candidate for membership in the European Union and has applied for membership in NATO. The landscape of North Macedonia is varied. The country has mountains, valleys, lakes, and forests. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in North Macedonia include Lake Ohrid, Mavrovo National Park, and Mount Korab. North Macedonia's economy is in a period of transition, having previously been based largely on agriculture. The country is now moving towards an increasingly market-based economy, with the privatization of state-owned companies and foreign investment playing an important role. The country's main industries include food processing, metal production, and textiles. Tourism is also an important part of the economy, with visitors attracted to the country's natural beauty and its many historical and cultural sites. North Macedonia has a population of around 2.1 million and an annual GDP of $11.4 billion. The country's currency is the denar. The unemployment rate in North Macedonia was 20.5% in 2017. The poverty rate was 17.6% in 2015. The economy of North Macedonia is expected to grow by 3.5% in 2018 and by 3.7% in 2019. The inflation rate is projected to be 2.1% in 2018 and 2.0% in 2019. The country's public debt was 60.9% of GDP in 2017. North Macedonia has a mixed economy that is in transition from a centrally planned system to a market-based economy. The country's GDP growth reached 3.8% in 2018, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the Balkans. However, North Macedonia remains one of the least developed countries in Europe with an unemployment rate of 27% in 2019. The service sector accounts for the largest share of North Macedonia's GDP, followed by industry and agriculture. The main industries in the country are food processing, textiles, metals, chemicals, machinery, and mining. Agriculture accounts for around 15% of North Macedonia's GDP and employs about 18% of the workforce. The main agricultural products in the country are tobacco, maize, wheat, and potatoes. North Macedonia has a trade deficit, with its main exports being metal ores, petroleum products, textiles, and food. The country's main trading partners are Greece, Bulgaria, Germany, Serbia, and Croatia. The economy of North Macedonia is expected to grow in the coming years as the country continues to implement reforms and attract foreign investment. The government has set a goal of becoming a member of the European Union and NATO, which would provide a boost to the country's economy. North Macedonia's agricultural sector employs around 15% of the country's workforce and accounts for around 10% of its GDP. The sector is dominated by small-scale family farms, with an average farm size of just over 2 hectares. Most of North Macedonia's farmland is used for livestock grazing, with cattle, pigs, and sheep being the most common animals. Small-scale farming and subsistence agriculture are still common, particularly in rural areas. Wheat, maize, and tobacco are the main crops grown in North Macedonia. The country is also a significant producer of honey and beeswax. The agricultural sector in North Macedonia has been hit hard by the global economic crisis, with many farmers struggling to make a living. The government has introduced a number of measures to try and help the sector, including subsidies and loans. Macedonia has a long tradition of viticulture and winemaking. The country is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world, dating back to the 4th century BC. Macedonian wines are becoming increasingly popular internationally, with reds such as Vranec and whites such as Smederevka being particularly well-regarded. The country's mountainous terrain means that livestock farming is also important, with sheep and goats being the main animals raised. Macedonia is also a major producer of honey. The Republic of North Macedonia is located in the southern part of the Balkan peninsula. It is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. North Macedonia has a population of 2,072,191 people according to the latest census from 2002. The majority of the population is Macedonian, with Albanians comprising the largest minority group. The population of North Macedonia is 2,072,191 people, according to the latest census from 2002. The majority of the population is Macedonian, with Albanians comprising the largest minority group. The capital and largest city is Skopje, with a population of 542,029 people. Other major cities include Bitola, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Prilep, Tetovo, and Struga. The official language is Macedonian, while Albanian and Turkish are also widely spoken. The majority of the population is Orthodox Christian, with Muslims making up the largest minority group. There is also a small number of Roman Catholics and Protestants. North Macedonia is a religiously diverse country. The majority of the population is Orthodox Christian, while a significant minority adheres to Islam. There are also small numbers of Roman Catholics, Protestants, and other Christians. There is no official religion in North Macedonia, and freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the Macedonian Orthodox Church is the dominant religious group, and Orthodox Christianity is considered the "traditional" religion of the country. Islam is the second-largest religion in North Macedonia, with a significant minority of the population adhering to the faith. Muslims are concentrated in the northwestern parts of the country, where they make up a majority of the population. Roman Catholicism is the third-largest religion, with a small but significant minority of Macedonians adhering to the faith. There are also small numbers of Protestants, other Christians, and atheists in North Macedonia. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and there is generally tolerance and respect for religious beliefs and practices in North Macedonia. However, there have been some instances of tension and conflict between the different religious groups in the country. Macedonian culture is a blend of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. The country has a rich tradition of music, dance, and visual arts. Macedonia is home to some of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world, as well as many beautiful mosques and other religious buildings. The Macedonian Orthodox Church is the country's largest Christian denomination. Macedonia has a strong culinary tradition, with Macedonian dishes such as taratur (a yogurt and cucumber dip), burek (meat- or cheese-filled pastry), and mastika (a brandy made from resin) being particularly popular. North Macedonia is also known for its hand-crafted items, such as pottery, carpets, and copperware. Macedonian craftsmen are highly skilled and have been producing high-quality goods for centuries. If you're interested in learning more about the culture of North Macedonia, there are several excellent resources that can help you get started. The website of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of North Macedonia is a good place to start, as it contains a wealth of information on the country's history, culture, and arts. The website of the Macedonian Information Agency also has a section devoted to culture, and it is regularly updated with news and events related to Macedonian culture. Finally, the website of the National Tourism