North Macedonia Limits Margins on Over 1,000 Products

(Patria) - The Government of North Macedonia decided yesterday to limit the gross profit margin on 102 product groups, or over 1,000 food and non-food products.

At a Government session in Skopje, it was decided that the gross margin on eight basic food products would be limited to five percent - milk, bread, flour type 400 and 500, eggs, edible oil, yogurt, and sour milk, reports RSE.

The margin on meat and meat products, sugar, dairy products, margarine, butter, canned vegetables and fruits, beans, rice, and pasta is limited to 10 percent.

The margin on fresh fruits and vegetables, detergents, baby food, diapers, soap, toilet paper, and similar items is limited to 15 percent.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Labor Marjan Risteski said that the decision obliges all retailers to have at least 70 percent of these 102 product groups on their shelves.

In addition, a decision was made to set the maximum prices for eight groups of basic food products, with the prices from February 1, 2025, being set as the maximum.

- Our expectations are that with these two decisions, the prices of basic food products will be reduced by an average of about 10 percent, except for the eight basic food products - milk, bread, flour type 400 and 500, eggs, edible oil, yogurt, and sour milk, for which it is expected that they will remain at the same level, meaning they will not increase or will have a minimal decrease - Risteski said at a press conference.

Both decisions come into effect the day after their publication in the Official Gazette and last until April 30.

After citizens boycotted stores twice due to high food prices, the Government tasked the Ministry of Economy and Labor to prepare a Draft Decision to limit the gross margin on some basic food products, hygiene products, and baby food to 10 percent.

This decision is based on a six-month report by the State Market Inspectorate, which found that retailers have over 20 percent margin on basic food products and over 30 percent on personal hygiene products, while importers and distributors recorded margins of up to 50 percent.