The Public Revenue Directorate (DAP) of North Macedonia has reported a 46.29% drop in daily turnover across the country’s eight largest supermarket chains on January 31, following a citizen-led boycott against rising food prices.
According to data from the transaction registration system (GPRS), total revenue in these supermarkets was 114.3 million denars (€1.83 million) on Friday, compared to 212.8 million denars (€3.4 million) on Thursday, January 30.
“Comparing January 31 to January 24, we recorded a 46.59% decrease in total turnover across the largest supermarket chains,” the DAP statement said.
The boycott movement, inspired by a similar action in Croatia on January 24, was also observed in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia.
Government and Opposition Responses
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski confirmed that inspectors were deployed across major supermarkets to monitor pricing and market activity.
“Yes, inspections are ongoing. We will provide more information on Monday. A detailed analysis is being conducted in all major supermarkets,” Mickoski told reporters.
The government also plans to reduce parafiscal taxes, which Mickoski claims will help lower prices.
Meanwhile, Economy and Labor Minister Besar Durmishi openly supported the boycott:
“We stand with the citizens in this boycott, especially against supermarkets that have unjustifiably increased prices in recent years.”
However, the opposition criticized the government for failing to regulate prices.
“It is concerning that the government remains passive, even cynically supporting the boycott instead of taking action. Citizens should be protesting against the government, which is responsible for price regulation,” said Venko Filipče, leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM).
The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) called for Durmishi’s resignation, arguing that he was shifting responsibility onto citizens instead of tackling inflation.
Economic Impact and Regional Trends
- North Macedonia’s minimum wage: 22,567 denars (€367)
- Basic cost-of-living for a four-member family: 63,252 denars (€1,027)
- Inflation in Montenegro (2021-2024): 30.5%, with food prices rising by 41%
Retail chains have seen a 40-50% increase in turnover since 2021, despite rising consumer costs.
Will Kosovo Join the Boycott?
Although there have been no official boycott calls in Albania, in Kosovo, images promoting a “Kosova boycotts, February 1-7” campaign surfaced on social media.
Selatin Kaçaniku from the Consumer Protection Organization suggested that Kosovo could join the movement if no response from political parties or retailers is seen by February 10.
