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The agriculture system is a significant contributor to North Macedonia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but with substantial influence by economic policies. In 2020, the sector contributed 9.09% against 7.87% in 2017 and the years before, contributing to past political insecurities. Agriculture performance needs to be reinforced with suitable economic policies, which would solve the prevailing complications in food systems. The temperate of North Macedonia is not favourable for food production, and irrigation is an effective means of providing water. The total arable land in North Macedonia is about 665,000 hectares, which is 50% of the total available land. Only about 163,700 hectares are provided with water through several government irrigation schemes. Aside from the country being water deficient, the mean temperature of the region is also high and is continually on the increase. It is estimated that in 2050, the mean annual temperature would have increased 1.90°C and a decline of 5% in precipitation. North Macedonia can achieve more by having an increased growing season and changing cropping patterns to adapt to climate changes. Since the agricultural sector is less profitable, the government needs to enact more policies to improve the food system performance to experience positive returns.

According to a 2017 report by the FAO, demand for food will increase by 50% from 2012 to 2050. Countries will be forced to increase food production. It is important not to increase production at the expense of deteriorating food quality. The quality of food has an impact on the overall well-being of the population; therefore, it is necessary to have proper food quality management. The aim of the paper is to show the impact of food quality control on the development of the country and the population. The correlation between quality control and food productivity shows what impact regulations have on food production. In the second case, the correlation between quality control and GDP change will allow us to conclude what impact food quality control has on the development of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for rapid economic development leads to the creation of a new concept of the consumer market. It is actually a concept that offers something new to consumers in terms of a new product or new service, in this case a better offer in the field of rural tourism. Namely, for the development of a basic concept of rural tourism, it is necessary for it to be developed in an environment that has rich traditions, natural resources, cultural values and individual authenticity. Based on that, the basic concept for development of rural tourism is based on setting a framework for its development and its identification as a model for better local economic development. In fact, the purpose of this paper is to present a basic concept for the development of rural tourism in order to improve the quality of life of the population of these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategic goal of managing the quality of milk is a premium product with a high level of internal and external quality characteristics. In order to succeed, most of the activities in the management process should focus on those quality features that are recognizable for the average consumer of milk. For this purpose, was conducted an indicative survey of a sample of 1130 respondents from the young population was conducted. The results show that young consumers from the internal quality characteristics mostly value the taste and quantity of milk fats in the category 2.8% -3.2%, while from the external quality characteristics they value the price and origin of the product or the origin of the milk. The origin of the milk is not fully utilized in the promotional efforts of the producers in its promotion, especially in the sub-segment of urban young consumers, which would clearly differentiate the producers, but they would also have a competitive advantage on the domestic and international market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest manufacturing sector in Europe remains the food, and beverage industry providing employment and contributing highly to the gross domestic products of European nations. With the continual demand for EU food and beverages overseas, growth in the sector doubled compared with its status ten years ago. Going by this steady development of the industry, it is imperative that innovative technologies improve service deliverables for a continual increase in returns. According to the EU Commission, there is annual food wastage of eighty-eight million tonnes. This food wastage is approximately a loss of 143 billion euros and an eight percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions. How can these losses be prevented and converted to a value-added product? The correct application of food processing and preservation techniques would save the European nations 143 billion euros. This paper investigates the various sources of food wastage in European countries and discusses how food preservation and processing technique can reduce these food losses. The study identifies, addresses, and proffer solutions to the economic and environmental issues associated with food wastage. The systematic review shows that economic and ecological effects from food wastage result from the reduced application of processing and preservation of techniques, most notably by farmers, food manufacturers, and food processors in the food chain. The study infers that new EU food policies are required to achieve substantial improvements in preventing wastage in the food chain. Also, stakeholders must embrace best practices in processing and preservation of food to avoid food wastage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The basis of marketing concept refers to the fact that companies exist in order to satisfy consumers' needs. In order to achieve its objectives and be successful, a company needs to be aware of its customers' wishes and preferences, so that it should gather information that could be obtained through market research. Regardless of the business they are included and performing in, the marketing managers are faced with the need to make decisions constantly, i.e. solve certain problems every day. The quality of the decision mainly depends on the quality of information they have in the moment of decision. The main objective of marketing research is to provide relevant information, increase of success and decrease of risk in company's working and making right marketing decisions on the basis of gathered marketing information. In order to achieve certain sales level, each company should choose promotional activities by means of which it will achieve the desired effect in the most efficient way. The research study is focused on manager's attitude towards the utilization of marketing comunication. The objective of the research is to show the significance of marketing research in modern working conditions not only of companies in general, but of companies in milk processing industry in the Republic of Macedonia as well, because it provides significant information for the market, consumers' needs, wishes and requests, the demand for certain type of products, influence of prices on the consumers' decision for buying milk and dairy products, etc. Also, the objective of the research is to study the way in which promotion as part of marketing mix affects consumers' decision making for buying certain product and significance of promotion as a factor of sales volume increase; it aims at increasing the company's profit, as well as it takes into consideration the effects of application of the promotional activities and improvement of competitive advantage of companies in milk industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to obtain comparative indicators of the slaughtering and quantitative characteristics of the laying hens from different hybrid lines. For the examination were used hybrid lines from ISA Brown, for gaining eggs with brown shell, and DeKalb, for gaining eggs with white shell. The total number of examined individuals is 40, 20 of each hybrid line, with an average age of 84 weeks. After the slaughter, the measurements of each carcass were made and the participation of the basic parts in the mass of the clean carcass was determined. The dressing percentage of clean carcasses without internal organs and skin of hens from the hybrid line ISA Brown is 49.80%, while the dressing percentage of chicken from the hybrid line DeKalb is 46.80%. The average mass of chests (white meat with bone) is 234.65 g in ISA Brown, or 26.95% in the mass of the carcasses, while in the DeKalb hybrid line the average mass of the chest is 197.20 g with 26.86% participation in the mass of carcasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main reason for th Food industry plays a major role in the total economic and social productivity in the thriving overpopulated world. This research discusses competitiveness of European food industry, competitors on the global market, current problems of agri-food business and facing challenges. Practical part of the paper includes data analyze about food industry statistics between external trade partners and member countries. First goal of the research is to determine trends in EU-rest of the world food trade markets. Second goal is to evaluate food external trade balance sustainability of the EU members by state level and to highlight nations by their contribution in establishing total trade balance of the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine to which degree the Internet and emarketing are represented in the operation of Macedonian agribusiness, and also to explore the attitudes of employees to e-business. The results show that 63.4% of surveyed businesses have their own websites. Businesses with higher annual turnover (over 5.000.000 denars) in a greater proportion have their own websites. Websites of businesses mostly provide general information on the business and a catalogue of products, while online wholesale and epayment are poorly represented. Only 18.3% of the surveyed businesses use e-commerce, and the majority of those have a lower annual turnover (<5.000.000 denars) and a small number of employees (up to 15). Among the businesses that offer the possibility of ecommerce, the majority are those whose e-commerce does not exceed 5% in total sales. The surveyed businesses consider indifference of customers for this kind of purchasing and higher payment risk during charging the most important reasons for not using e-commerce. Respondents believe that e-business is the necessary precondition for successful business in the future (mean 4.16) and that competition forces the use of e-business (mean 3.71). The results of this study provide guidance for the further development of e-marketing in Macedonian agribusiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overview of previous research results points out to the fact that the majority of the sources related to the organic food marketing belong to the literature based on the research of consumers, with the lack of extensive research of organic food producers. Thus, the results obtained by the quantitative research of organic food producers on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, are presented in this paper. The main marketing mix instruments (4P) are in the focus of analysis, as the most beneficial way of determining the success of marketing activities of the organic food producers in Republic of Macedonia. In order to get a comprehensive idea of the success of the market activity of the producers, the obtained results are explained in regard to the theoretical knowledge of consumer behavior, acquired by an extensive overview of the relevant literature. The research results are significant, both for the producers of organic food, as well as for traders, because they indicate the key elements to improve the placement of organic food products originating in Republic of Macedonia. As an important contribution of the paper to the topic, recommendations for the development of an appropriate marketing strategy are given in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of organic milk is increasing rapidly. However, the behaviour of organic milk consumers is still not enough investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine variables which influence the attitude towards organic milk consumption, as well as variables which influence the buying intention of organic milk in Republic of Macedonia. Thereat, factors such as positive opinion toward organic milk and food related lifestyle, as well as level of trust in organic food label, objective knowledge and gender of respondents showed to have a significant influence on organic milk buying intention. More precisely, a significant and positive influence on buying intention of organic milk was observed considering the belief in positive aspects of organic milk, subjective knowledge, objective knowledge, and attitude towards buying organic milk. According to the results of this study recommendations for marketing practice and especially for communication policy might be created. Communication directed to female population should use classic advertising based on functional information, while the one directed to male population should use more emotional advertising. By using classic advertising education of consumers should be performed in order to promote benefits of organic milk in regards to conventional milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management and protection of the environment is a problem and companion to the development of human civilization, but in the recent decades is becoming more popular. The European Union supports the development of ecologically adapted and competitive economy, which aims to achieve the objectives of the concept of sustainable development. The ecological awareness today is a planetary phenomenon because it comes as an expression of knowledge about the danger for humanity from pollution of soil, water and air due to the carelessness of the consequences of certain activities of the environment. Consumers are increasingly more aware of the consequences of global pollution and the constant disorder of the environment. People around the world show concern for the environment and change their behavior. The ecological awareness and environmentally responsible behavior of the consumers is a necessity and obligation of the modern world and is part of the social responsibility. The green consumers as one of the most important features of the modern ecological marketing are environmentally responsible consumers who require producers to express their ecological responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agro-food sector in Republic of Macedonia is one of the key sectors and is an important strategic tool in the development of the Macedonian economy as well as in a world trade. Macedonian market is small and it has limited producing and import - export capacity. With the entering in WTO and aspiration for the integration in EU, we should know that the associations like to have opened the market. Dairy industry is an important part of agro-industrial complex in Republic of Macedonia. Milk and dairy products belong into the group of food products with high nutritional and biological value and have great importance in the nutrition of people. They are the primary structural components in the total consumption of food in the world. International marketing is particularly important for the production and sale of milk and dairy products to international markets. The key activities of international marketing management process are relating to the development and promotion of international creative marketing strategies. All elements of international marketing have their own characteristics in the sale of milk and dairy products to international markets. Companies-producers of milk and dairy products from Republic of Macedonia, that are oriented towards a successful appearance on the international market, must develop adequate marketing strategy, which will enable creation of competitive advantages in the domestic market and generic strategies for rational approach of international individual market segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this paper is to identify challenges and perspectives for application of sustainable marketing in order to increase demand and consumption of organic dairy products, i.e. to gain insight in consumers' preferences, motives, attitudes and interests to buy organically produced dairy products in the Republic of Macedonia. This research draws on a survey of 209 respondents within the Republic of Macedonia. The descriptive analysis (Cross tabulation), the nonparametric test of significance Chi-square (χ2) and the correlation indicator Phi coefficient were all applied in examining the working hypothesis. The results of these study present organic buyers tend to be older, with higher education and with higher family income than those who do not buy them. However, the main barrier to increase the market share of organic dairy products is consumer information and availability of organic dairy products in the Republic of Macedonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to present advances in understanding the relationship between nutrition and health that lead to the development of the concept of functional foods, which means a practical and new approach to achieve optimal health status by promoting the state of well-being and possibly reducing the risk of desease. For this purpose, the paper will look into the factors that influence consumers' awareness of functional foods and their purchasing decisions of functional food products in the Republic of Macedonia. The challenge of understanding the connection between diet and health has resulted in the creation of a new concept of functional products, which means a new practical approach to balance the diet with the aim to achieve optimal health and possibility to reduce the risk of deseases. Functional foods are foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition ones. Biologically active compounds in functional foods may impart health benefits or desirable physiological effects. Increasing awareness of healthier food choices, its possibilities and advantages, provides higher quality of life. However, for a functional food product to be good and widely accepted, it is necessary to link research, marketing and relevant feedback information obtained by monitoring consumers' attitudes towards functional product, in order to meet consumers' expectations. One important fact in the whole concept of functional foods is informing consumers about the possibilities of functional foods, but any information relating to health must necessarily be true, attractive, simple and intelligible to the consumer so that the concept of functional foods being able in continuing to get developped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration process of the Republic of Macedonia towards European Union is clear and unambiguous interest and priority goal. Republic of Macedonia within the integration processes from 16.05.2007, has the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union. Thus it has the right to use financial funds from the pre-accession funds in order to meet the criteria for membership in the European Union, and harmonization of the national legislation within the European. The paper has a goal to give preliminary assessment of the current capacities in the Republic of Macedonia for absorption of resources from the EU funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]