Northern Macedonia continues ban on flour, oil export

The decision to extend the export ban has been made with the Economy Ministry proposal and in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy. The ban on exporting these products until 15 April is made to prevent possible damage to the local market”, the North Macedonian government said in decision.

The decision was adopted two days before the ten-day stop was expired, which was adopted on March 11th, which also dealt with “the purpose of protecting the local market and protecting citizens in crisis times”.

Such a move Macedonian authorities took after data that large amounts of wheat were exported to Greece, while in Kosovo large quantities of local oil.

The North Macedonia Customs Directorate has made it known that oil had been exported from this country in quantities of 416 tons, about 700 tonnes of corn, 166 tonnes of flour, as well as other cereals.

The decision was prompted by Serbia, which has banned the export of wheat and flour to countries in the region, including northern Macedonia, which was awaiting the import of some 50,000 tonnes of wheat and flour.

The Macedonian government has announced that there are sufficient quantities of oil and flour, while on Thursday the prices for basic food products -- such as bread, flour, sugar, other rice -- are lowered after the VAT is removed for these products.