Skopje, 2 March 2026 (MIA) - The average consumer basket that the Government has drafted is 13 percent lower than the one of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM), said Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi on Monday.

Minister Durmishi said the average consumer basket includes 101 products and realistically reflects the minimum costs of a family.

"The SSM basket is not a minimum one, since it includes products that are not used for a certain period during the year. It also includes rent costs, although the most recent Census showed that 90 percent of the population lives in their own home," said Durmishi.

The Government-drafted basket was presented at today's session of the Economic Social Council (ESC).

"There were some technical remarks and proposals that will be reviewed at the next ESC session by the end of the month. If accepted, the basket will be applied as of the end of March," said Durmishi.

Photo: MIA