A young country for an old nation with a genuine wine tradition : a fascinating wine land to discover !

Demographic statistics

Population (2002 census) : 2 022 547 inhabitants.
Ethnic composition of the population: Macedonians: 64.18 %, Albanians : 25.17 %, Turks : 3.85 %, Romanies : 2.66 %, Serbs : 1.78 %, Bosnians : 0.84 %, Vlachs : 0.49 %. Other communities account for 20 993 people.
Urban population : 59.8 % (2002).
Population density: 78.7 inhab./km².
Capital: Skopje (600 000 inhabitants).
Main cities: Kumanovo (104 300 inhab.), Bitola (87 600 inhab.), Prilep (74 000 inhab.), Tetovo (71 600).
Languages: Macedonian is the official language of the Republic of Macedonia. The Macedonian alphabet is made up of Cyrillic characters. Other languages used are Albanaian, Bulgarian and Turkish.
Religions: Orthodox (64.7%), Muslim (33.3%), Catholic (0.37%).
Population growth: 0.6 %.
Life expectancy: 73.8 years
Literacy rate: 96.1 %.
Human Development Index(United Nations 2005 rankings) : 0.797 (59th in the world).

Official country name: Former Yougoslav Republic of Macedonia name under which the country was admitted to the UN).

According to legend, the history of Macedonia started in the 9th Century B.C. with King Kranus, a mythological character of the Heraclids family, who created the old kingdom of Macedonia. However, it was under the reign of Philippe II of Macedonia (359-336 B.C) and his son Alexander The Great (336-323 B.C) that Macedonia reached the peak of its development; at that time, it conquered the biggest empire the West has ever known. After the death of Alexandra, defeats in numerous battles brought about the disappearance of the kingdom of Macedonia.
Towards the end of the 6th Century the Slavs, whose descendants represent the majority of the current Macedonian population, settled on the land. In 806, the Bulgarian king began a campaign to conquer Macedonia. He succeeded after sixty years, giving way to an Orthodox evangelism of the population.
During the 14th Century, Macedonia fell under Turkish domination, which lasted five centuries, until 1912. In April 1945 the constitution of the first Macedonian government was created. Over the following 45 years, the State of Macedonia was one of the six republics forming the Federation of Yugoslavia, until September 8th 1991 when the Republic of Macedonia was proclaimed as an independent, sovereign and self governed (by way of referendum) state.
The only ex-Yugoslavia country to have achieved independence without violence, Macedonia almost fell apart during the civil war in 2001 when a conflict broke out between Slavs and Albanians. The Ohrid agreement, signed on August 13th 2001, put an end to the six-month crisis. It enabled the creation of a new constitution and the launch of a series of reforms aiming to reinforce the law of the State and to guarantee equal rights for all citizens.

Source : Macedonia Secretariat for government information.

GDP (2005): 4.6 billion €.
Following the economic crisis occurring as a result of the political troubles in 2001, the Macedonian economy started to improve again.
GDP per head (2005): 2260 €/head (one of the lowest in Europe).
Growth rate (2006): 3.2 %.
Unemployment rate (2006): 36.0 %.
Inflation rate (2006): 3.0 %.
Minimum monthly salary (2006): 5 400 denars/month (88 €).
Budget balance(2005): surplus of 0.3 % of GDP. A budget deficit of 1.5 % is predicted for 2006.
Balance of trade (2005 estimation): - 18.6 % of GDP/ - 0.9 billion €.
Growth of trade (volume): around 15 % between 2004 and 2005. Investments: Direct foreign investment has increased, mainly due to privatisation of companies, but is still low (1.7% of GDP) because the business sector is still not strong enough.
Main clients: Serbia (22.5 %), Germany (17.5 %), Greece (15.3 %). Main providers: Russia (13.2 %), Germany (10.4 %), Greece (9.2 %), Serbia, Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia.
Percentage of GDP by sector (2005):
- agriculture: 13.2 %
- industry: 29.1 %
- service: 57.7 %

Currency: Denar (MKD). Exchange rate: 1 € = 61,31 denar. The denar is stable due to its anchorage to the euro in 1997.

Politics
System: Parliamentary Democracy. Government formed on August 25th 2006, cabinet reshuffle on February 20th 2007.
President: Mr Branko CRVENKOVSKI (elected on 12.05.04).
Prime Minister: Mr Nikola GRUEVSKI.
The country is a candidate for EU membership.

Surface area: 25 713 km2

Situated in Southeast Europe, the Republic of Macedonia is a Balkan country with no coastline. Its bordering countries are Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south and Albania to the west.

Climate
Macedonia has an extremely favourable climate for growing vines. The climate is a result of a combination of Mediterranean and Continental influences, with long hot summers and cold winters with high snowfall. The climate is moderated by neighbouring mountains, which provide a natural barrier from cold northern winds. A prolonged ripening period allows high concentrations of sugars and acids in the grapes, assuring wines with intense colours and complex aromas.

The geograpical position of Macedonia, the diversity of climatic conditions and the large variety of soils offer great possibility in terms of grape varieties that can be planted and quality of wines produced. As a result of these attributes, Macedonia has been a wine producer and exporter for many, many years.

During the period of the Yugoslavian Republic, Macedonia made two thirds of all wine in the country. However, the Macedonian wine industry was focused on production of bulk and cheap wine, mostly destined for the German market. These wines were often imported for blending in mixed grape variety wines destined for the Russian market where no guarantee of geographical origin was required.
Today, as during the whole of the Yugoslavian period, a large number of Macedonian families grow vines, often as a secondary activity, in order to sell the harvest to wine companies. It is a traditional activity that involves a large part of the population. After Macedonia gained independence, private wine businesses that produce high quality wine began appear.
Over the last few years, quality has increased significantly. Macedonian cellars have invested 9 million USD in equipment since 2003, which is equivalent to annual growth of 350%. Stricter controls are now in place and grapes are now limited to the best international and indigenous varieties. More modern and efficient cellars have also been built. The new strategy is to produce quality wines in order to conquer new markets, in particular the British market.

The dominant grape varieties
Red wine grapes come from vines planted at low altitudes, in rich, heavy clayey soils. The cooler microclimate protects the freshness and harmony of the white wine varieties, planted in lighter soils and at higher altitudes.
Macedonians believe that great wines can only be made with great grapes. The current variety of grapes planted in Macedonia was influenced by the appearance of phylloxera at the beginning of the twentieth century. Many vines were cut down and vineyards were permanently out of production. Some were replanted later with local grape varieties, but the majority were replanted with French, German and Austrian vitis vinifera varieties, which were already well known in other Eastern European regions.
Today, there are around 20 different grape varieties planted in Macedonia.
The dominant red wine grapes are, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir amongst the international grapes, and Burgundec, Stanushina, Prokupec, Kratoshia, Vranec and Kadarka amongst the indigenous varieties.
The dominant white wine grapes are, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rheine Riesling, Semillon, Rkaciteli, Muscat Ottonel and Grenache Blanc – Belan amongst the international varieties and Semederevka, Zilavka, Zupjanka, Traminec, Temjanika and Smederevka amongst the indigenous varieties.
Two local grape varieties, Smederevka and Vranec, represent 80% of all grape production.
Main Macedonian indigenous varieties

Vranec
Vranec is the most important grape variety in Macedonia. The dark red grapes grow on fairly vigourous and very productive vines. This grape variety is grown all over the country, mainly in family vineyards. The manual harvest starts in the middle of September, or in October in the cooler regions.
The young wines produced from this grape are structured, rich in tanins and crimson in colour. They have a fruity flavour, of strawberry jam. After a year or two of ageing, the crimson colour develops into a dark red colour and the flavours become more complex, including the development of chocolate and liquorice notes.
Vranec blends well with other varieties and produces balanced wines with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Vranec wine should be served at cellar temperature and can be enjoyed with all Macedonian cuisine, including tomato salads, smoked or grilled meat and mature cheese.

Stanushina
This is an idigenous grape variety that is only grown in Moldova. It is not very well known, but can nevertheless produce high quality wine. Following the introduction of international grape varieties in Moldova, Stanushina started to disappear. However, under the recent initiative to produce more local wines, it is reappearing in force.
Stanushina grapes ripen late but give good harvests. Although the wines are very light in colour, they are very rich. The high acid levels give the wine a remarkable freshness. It is best consumed at 10-16°C and has a light strawberry/raspberry flavour. This wine goes well with light or creamy desserts and can also be served as an aperitif with a green salad.

Traminec
Traminec is another unique Macedonian grape, which produces delicious white wine that are perfect with desserts.
It has a typical golden yellow colour, sometimes with a pale purple hint, and is characterised by a floral, spicy and fruity flavour. The best Macedonian examples of this wine have a complex aroma that suggests lavender. Due to its intense aromas, Traminec is sometimes blended with Temjanika and Muscat Ottonel to produce sweet and aromatic white wines.
Traminec grapes have high sugar levels. The after-taste is always sweet and prolonged. Ideally, this wine should be served at 10-12°C.

Temjanika
This grape variety has a pronounced aroma of thyme, which explains its name; “temjan” is the Macedonian word for “thyme”. It is characterised by spice flavours, as well as fresh grapes, dried prunes and orange zest.
This white wine is yellow in colour with slight green hints. It has a round a durable taste, with an intense freshness. It should be served at 10-12°C. Like Traminec, it is excellent with desserts and can also be drunk alone.

Zilavka
This Macedonian grape variety does not have the richness of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, but it combines great freshness with nutty flavours and high alcohol and acid levels, often over 12-13%.
Zilavaka is usually harvested just before the grapes become fully ripe in order to assure pronounced acidity, and also at full ripeness to obtain rich flavours. The final product is a blend between the two harvests and is greenish yellow in colour with apricot flavours. It is dry, harmonious and strong with light flavours and can be drunk immediately or aged for two or three years, after which it will be more complex and harmonious with nutty flavours. It should be served at 10-12°C and it the ideal accompaniment to cold salads, seafood, pasta, meat and cheese based desserts.

Types of wine

Macedonia produces all types of wine – dry and sweet, sparkling, red, white and rosé.
Well-known international grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as indigenous varieties such as Vranec, are used to produce typical Macedonian wines. These wines are evidence that Macedonian wine producers are progressing towards balance and a sense of moderation.
Macedonian wines are fruity, aromatic, and have a unique and recognisable flavour and complexity.

There are three main regions, divided into 16 wine zones.

The three wine production regions are:

1. The Vardar valley (or Povardarije).
This is the largest wine region. It is situated in the centre of Macedonia, with altitude varying between 50 and 600 m, and has excellent conditions for growing vines. Its climate is Mediterranean to Continental with mild winters and dry, hot summers. During summer, an average of 124 days have a temperature above 25°C. Maximum temperatures can reach over 40°C. Average precipitation level is 460l/m per year (between 260 and 310 mm fall during the vegetation period). Vines are cultivated on different types of soil, but mainly on diluvial soil, tchernozem, rendzina, vertisol, and very rarely on brown or cinnamon soil. 80% of vines are cultivated in this region and 85% of all wine is produced here. The most frequent grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kadarka, Vranec, Semederevka, Rkaciteli, Stanushina, Pinot noir, Grenache Blanc (Belan), Chardonnay, Muscat Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Smederevka, Muscat Ottonel, Temjanika and Zilavka.
The following wine zones are found in this region: Skopje, Veles, Tikvesh, Gevgelija-Valandovo, Strumica-Radovish, Ovche Polé and Kochani-Vinica.
The biggest cellars in Macedonia are also situated in this region.

Table 1. Wine companies in the region of Povardarije.

2. The region of Pelagonia-Polog (the plains of Pelagonie and Polog).
This region is situated in the South and Southwest of the country. 11% of all wine produced comes from this region. The vines are grown at an altitude of between 600m and 680m, on the plateaus and small mountains that characterise this region. The climate is predominantly that of high mountains, characterised by cold and humid winters and hot and dry summers. On average, 87 days have a temperature of over 25°C. Annual precipitation levels are between 570 and 700mm. Brown soil is the predominant type, as well as vertisol, tchernozem and cinnamon in some cases. Red wine grapes grown in this region include Cabernet sauvignon, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Prokupec and Vranec. The white wine grapes include Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zhilavka and Smederevka.
The region of Pelagonia Polog includes six wine zones: Prilep, Bitola, Prespa, Ohrid, Kichevo and Tetovo. The wine production business in this region is called Eko (Ohrid).

3. The region of Pcinja-Osogovo (Pcinja plain and Osogovo mountain).
Situated in the Northeast of the country, this region is the most mountainous and the most arid. The vines are mainly grown on the mountain slopes with an atlitude of 440 to 850m. The climate is continental temperate, colder than Central and Eastern regions with strong northern winds. On average, there are 110 days with a temperature of over 25°C in summer. Average precipitation levels are 550l/m each year, and between 300 and 400mm during the vegetation period. Periods of drought are rare during this time. The vines are mainly grown on diluvial, cinnamon and brown soil on limestone rocks. It is estimated that 4% of all wine production occurs here. Traditional red grape varieties dominate, including Cabernet sauvignon, Gamay Noir, Gamay Teinturier, Pinot noir and Vranec. The white wine grapes grown here are Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Zilavka.
This region encompasses the following wine zones: Kumanovo, Kratovo and Pijanec. The main wine business here is ZIK Lozaroovostarstvo i Prerabotka (Kumanovo).

There are 16 cellars in Macedonia, with a total capacity of 220 million litres. Annual production varies between 100 and 130 million litres. Seven cellars possess bottling lines with a capacity of 735 000 hectolitres.

TIKVES
www.tikveswinery.com
Founded in 1946, TIKVES is the biggest cellar with 388 employees. It is privatised and employees own 62% of the company. It is famous for its wine, but also for its eau de vie, which is very popular in Macedonia. This company produces 25 different types of red and white wine and 9 types of strong alcohol. The most well known rec wines are TAGA ZA JUG, ALEXANDRIJA and KRATOSIJA, and the most well known white wines are ALEXANDRIJA, TRAMINEC and SMEDEREVKA. These wines are afforable for the population, who are used to inexpensive wine. This company covers two thirds of national consumption and exports 60 of its production, equal to a third of Macedonian wine exports. The main export destinations are the countries with high Macedonian immigration (Germany, Netherlands, Australia, etc).

POVARDARIE
www.povardarie.com.mk
POVARDARJE (Negotino) is the second biggest cellar, with 129 employees. This company started in 1963 as a large agricultural business called POVARDARJE, which in the privatisation era was divided into several businesses, grouped by sectors. Its sales policies, as well as its markets, are similar to those of TIKVES.

BOVIN
www.bovin.com.mk
Bovin is a small private cellar founded in 1998 by a family who had been employed in local cellars for many years. With its French contacts and its aged wines, this company has succeeded in producing some of the most reputed and most expensive wine in Macedonia. They have also acquired a great know-how. Bovin has proved itself in the last four years, winning many international competitions.

SKOVIN
www.fersped.com.mk/skovin/e_index.html
Skovin is situated near Skopje, where its name comes from. It is an average sized cellar that has been radically transformed since it was taken over by ‘Fersped’ (the main delivery company in Macedonia). Before the take over, the company sold mainly low quality bulk wine. Significant investment has allowed equipment to be modernised and product quality to be improved. The company now sells quality, bottled wine. Its main objective is to conquer the export market. The company owns 450 hectares of vines with an average harvest of 4000 tonnes and has a processing capacity of 23 million kg per year.

Overall alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption in 2005 was 11% higher than in 2000. After a year of decline (2001), the market started to grow in 2005, with a 5% increase in volume. The most frequently consumed alcoholic beverages are wine and beer. However, Macedonia is still considered to be a country with low wine and beer consumption levels compared to other Eastern European countries. Macedonia is one of the countries with the lowest levels, but these figures do not usually include autoconsumption figures. Macedonians prefer to drink at home, and usually opt for low cost products. In 2005, a third of all alcoholic drinks consumed were purchased within the retail network.

Wine consumption
The high price of wine, which rose 40% in 2003 and 2005 for bottled wine, leads people to buy wine outside of the commercial networks. However, official sales have begun to increase and rose 5% in 2005.

Wine growing and production are amongst the most profitable agricultural activities and today provide an income for over 30 000 families. This small country currently has 22 400 hectares of land used in wine production. Before 1912, the period when the vines were ravaged by phylloxera, 50 000 hectares of land was used.
In 1949, only 8 445 hectares of land were planted with vines. Between 1957 and 1973, 1000 hectares of land were planted each year. Macedonian wine production reached its peak in 1980, when vines covered 38 000 hectares of land and 20 000kg of grapes were produced per hectare, rising to 30 000kg/ha in some regions. During this period, 15 large cellars with a capacity of more than 220 million litres of wine were built. However, from 1980, the surface area of vines and harvest levels decreased due to ageing of the vines and low selling prices.
With the independence of the Republic of Macedonia and the process of privatisation, the total surface area of vines again decreased and was estimated at 22 400 hectares (only for grapes destined for wine production) in 2005 (see table 2). The capacity of the wine production industry has been greater than grape production levels over the last few years.

Grape production

Today, two-thirds of Macedonian vines are used to produce wine, with 38% of plantations used for red wine production and 62% for white wine production.

Wine production
In 2005, approximately 980 000 hl of wine was produced from 150 000 tonnes of grapes. These figures represent an increase of 20% when compared to 2004.
Average wine production in the five previous years was 875 373 hl, of which the majority (85 %) was produded in the region of Povardarie. The region of Pelagonia-Polog only produced 11 % of the harvest, and the region of Pcinja-Osogovo 4 %.
Four thousand small wine growers with an average holding of 2.3 hectares dominate the industry. They sell their grapes to small and medium sized wine production companies who process the grapes and sell the products. There are 38 wine production companies in Macedonia, 25 of which export to more than 26 countries around the world.
Wine production companies process around 65% of all wine grapes, whilst around 35% are procesed directly by the farmers for their own consumption of wine and rakia.
All wine production companies that were once ‘agrokombinats’ have now been privatised. The new owners have invested in equipment, reconstruction of the business and development of human resources in order to improve the quality of Macedonian wine and to make it more suitable to foreign tastes.
Macedonian wine producers tend to use contemporary labelling and packaging styles. Wine companies have started to prefer to launch their wine under a collective Macedonian brand rather than individually.

Wine imports are insignificant because buying power is very low and because wine production supply significantly outweighs demand.

Wine is the second biggest agricultural export product after tobacco. It represents 3% of all Macedonian exports. Macedonia exports more than 85% of its wine production because the local market is very small and absorbs less than 15% of production.

The European Union is the biggest market for Macedonian wine, in particular Germany, Great Britain, the Scandinavian countries, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. Switzerland, Serbia, Croatia, Ukraine and Japan are other important clients. Wines such as Vranec, Zilavka, Stanushina and Temjanika are amongst the most highly demanded wines on the Western market. Quality AOC wines have also found a place on the market, but it is only neighbouring countries that order significant quantities. Croatia, Slovenia, but especially Serbia, are great fans of this wine, which is subject to only 1% customs tax. It is also exported to places where many Macedonian expats live (Germany, USA, Canada etc).
The export strategy continues to target neighbouring countries and the EU market, with particular attention to Great Britain.
Macedonia is currently the fourth largest exporter of bulk wine to Germany, where it is then reexported in small plastic containers. Macedonian wine is mainly exported in bulk, and only a small quantity (around 3-5%) is exported already bottled. Although exports are increasing, profits remain low because the price of Macedonian wine, especially bulk wine, is very low. According to experts, low cost wines do not have a future. It is for this reason that Macedonian wine producers have asked the government to help convince farmers to grow superior quality grapes. The Macedonian wine industry can only survive if it turns its focus to quality, bottled wines, which can be sold at a higher price.
The EU imports 300 000hl of non-taxed Macedonian wine, which is equivalent to 30-50% of the total annual production in the country over the last three years. The majority is low priced bulk wine (more than 80%) that is then refined and bottled. With this system, other countries gain most of the value from this wine. Following the establishment of new agreements, Europe is looking to stimulate the production of quality wine sold in bottles. Thus annual quotas have been changed to allow imports of greater quantities of bottled wine and less bulk wine.
Over the last few years, there has been a positive trend towards production and export of quality bottled wine, which increased to 7% of all wine exports in 1998 and 30% in 2004 (Source: 2004 Agricultural Report).
In 2005, the wine industry exported bottled wine at a total value of 8.7 million dollars, an increase of 20% when compared to 2003.

Macedonian wines have recently been very successful at international competitions, gaining many prizes and medals in events such as the international wine contest in England and Mundus vini in Germany.

2007
International competition: International Wine Contest, London:
Silver medal: Tikvesh, Vranec special selection 2004.
Silver medal: Tikvesh, Temjanika special selection 2006.
Bronze medal: Tikvesh, Merlot special selection 2004.
Bronze medal: Tikvesh, Chardonnay special selection 2006.

2006
International competitions:
Concours international du vin, Bordeaux, France :
Bronze medal, Pivka, merlot 2002.
Bronze medal, Popov, merlot 2003.
Mundus vini, Allemagne:
Gold medal, Fonko wines, Chardonnay 2005.
Very good quality, vins de Fonko, merlot 2004.
Very good quality Fonko wines, pinot noir 2005.
Very good quality, Fonko wines, Bucephall/Vranec 2004.
Silver medal, Tikves, Chardonnay Barrique 2005.
Silver medal, Tikves, special selection Chardonnay 2005.
Muscats du Monde, Frontignan, France :
Silver medal, Popov, muscat 2005.
Chardonnay du Monde, France :
Bronze medal, Fonko wines, Chardonnay 2005.

Wine fair, GAST, Croatia:
Gold, Tikves, special choice 2004 Temjanika.
Silver, Tikves, Kratosija 2004.
Silver, Tikves, special selection 2004 merlot.
Silver, Tikves, special selection 2004 Vranec.
International agricultural fair, Novi Sad, Serbie:
Gold medal, Fonko wines, Chardonnay 2005.
Gold medal, Skovin, Vranec 2001.
Gold medal, Fonko wines, Bucephall/Vranec 2003.
Vinovita, Zagreb, Croatie :
Gold medal, Pivka, Vranec 2002.
Silver medal, Tikves, 2004 special choice Vranec.
Silver medal, Tikves, 2004 special choice Temjanika.
Silver medal, Tikves 2004 special choice Riesling
Silver medal, Tikves, 2004 special choice Cabernet sauvignon.
Silver medal, Tikves, Kratosija 2004

2005
International competitions :

Mundus vini, Allemagne :
Silver medal, Fonko wines, Chardonnay 2004.
Silver medal, Fonko wines, Cabernet sauvignon 2003.
Very good quality, Fonko wines, Bucephall/Vranec 2003.
International agriculture fair, Novi Sad, Serbie :
Gold medal, Fonko wines, Bucephall/Vranec 2003.
Silver medal, Tikves, Kratosija 2003.

Local competitions:

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of Economics, 22nd prize, for the best product in the wine category: Fonko wines.
Gold medal, AK Dzumajlija, merlot 2000.
Golden globe, Vinar, merlot 2004.
Golden globe, Vinar, Rhein Riesling 2004.
Silver globe, Vinar, Cabernet sauvignon 2004.
Agriculture exhibition 2005, Skopje, Macedonia :
Champion in the wine production company category: Bovin, Daron 2004.
Agro 2005, Skopje, Macedonia:
Large golden globe, Pivka, Vranec 2003.
Large golden globe, Pivka, Cabernet sauvignon 2003.
Golden globe, Fonko wines, Chardonnay 2003.
Golden globe, Fonko wines , Bucephall/Vranec 2003.
Golden globe, Fonko wines, Cabernet sauvignon - Rosé 2004.

In 2004, the Republic of Macedonia decreed a new law in order to improve technological practices and to decrease hinderances to trade. The aim is to progressively get closer to EU legislation.
The implementation of a control and management system in wine estates in 2004 will permit traceability in the wine making process and to promote the production of quality bottled wine.
Wine growing and production is dependent on the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water management. One of the main concerns of the ministry is the pilot project financed by the EU for the development of vine plantations and management system

Regulations
Labelling is obligatory. A Macedonian translation should be stuck onto the product. The importer generally affixes this after the product has passed through customs.
Macedonian regulation is founded on the principle that wine can only be produced from natural rape.
There are three classification methods for Macedonian wines: by geographical origin, quality and production method. A wine can only be sold if it has obtained an attestation of conformity from the wine institute and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Customs and tax regulations

Customs allowances
Customs duty varies between 48% (spirits) and 50% (wine). Excise duty is added at 3 denars (0.05 euro) per litre and per degree of alcohol. For some wines and spirits, it is also necessary to obtain an export licence from the Ministry of Agriculture. VAT of 18% is added to all products. Samples are taken from all imports. Tax-free customs allowances no longer exist for wines from the EU. On the other hand, the Association and Stabilisation Agreement is likely to establish tax allowances for Macedonian wine exported to the EU.

Each year, the Skopje fair (SKOPSKI SAEM) organises an agricultural exhibition called "AGROFOOD". It is traditionally held in the month of September or October and attracts more than 200 participants from Macedonia and around the world. Wine and tabacco, important products for Macedonia, are at the heart of the exhibition. The different exhibitors also participate in a large competition, which is regularly organised in numerous categories and offers the title of “white wine” or “red wine” Champion of AGROEXPO, amongst other awards. In 2007, the 16th international wine and alcohol festival was held in the form of the ‘Agrofood 2007’ exhibition.

www.skopjefair.com.mk
Skopje Fair
ul. Belasica b.b.
1100 Skopje
Macedonia
+389 2 118 288
+389 2 117 375