Skopje, 11 August 2025 (MIA) - The facts show what the situation in agriculture is like. The opposition is trying to attack and manipulate by presenting lies and fabrications, but the citizens should remain calm because the Government is thinking of everything, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told journalists on Monday.

“The payment of subsidies is truly surprisingly positive in my view, just last week around Mden 400 million were paid out to approximately 7,000 farmers. We will continue to drive the economy forward in this way. I am watching the messages by the opposition, which is trying to attack with fabrications and lies, but the facts are entirely different. When this Government was elected, less than 14 months ago, in the National Forests and JSC Water Economy wages hadn’t been paid for more than three months, and now they are being paid regularly. We also had unpaid subsidies from 2021, and now we are concluding payments for the ones for 2024 and beginning realization of the ones for 2025. For tobacco, the contracts that were at Mden 375 per kilogram with a Mden 80 subsidy have now increased to Mden 400 and a Mden 100 subsidy, reaching a record Mden 500 per kilogram. The harvest rose from 18 million kilograms to 23 because we passed a law stating that until the last leaf is purchased, no imports will be allowed,” Mickoski said 

According to the Prime Minister, record purchase prices have also been observed for early vegetable crops such as cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, onions, and peppers.

“Why is that the case? Because the Government does not negotiate with buyers to depress prices for someone to profit later. Record prices are being noted everywhere, among millers and wheat producers as well. The opposition tried to manipulate the situation with grapes too, but there we have record prices and a 25 percent increase in yield because irrigation systems operated on time. If last year we reached 70–75 million kilograms, this year the yield will be 100 million. These are facts, and what the opposition is saying is an attempt to fabricate something, an act of political maneuvering. The opposition has its own agenda, while we must work in the interest of the citizens. They think they’ll gain some political points, but the citizens should remain calm, they have a Government that thinks of everything,” Mickoski underscored.

Photo: MIA