North Macedonia extended the ban on the export of grain and oil until May 15

The government of North Macedonia has today extended for one month, until May 15, the ban on the export of certain cereals, flour, sunflowers and sunflower oil

As the Minister of Economy of North Macedonia, Krečnik Bekteši, announced, the government has also decided to abolish the customs duty on the import of edible sunflower oil as of May 31 as an additional incentive to maintain supply on the domestic market.

According to him, the goal of prolonging the ban on the export of those lifestyle products and canceling the customs duty on the import of sunflower oil is to maintain the current situation on the Macedonian market and prevent a possible serious disruption until the new harvest, as well as price growth.

"The purpose of these measures is to protect the domestic market and citizens in times of crisis, in order to avoid the speculative actions of traders and producers and to protect domestic production, the domestic market and citizens," said Bekteši.

The ban on the export of wheat and barley, corn, wheat and barley flour, sunflower seeds and sunflower oil from North Macedonia was introduced on March 11.