Global Raspberries Market Trends and Their Impact on the Macedonian Raspberries Market

Abstract

The production of raspberries is of great importance for the development of the agroindustrial complex. Its products are used for direct consumption or as raw materials in the food industry. The demand for fruit on the world market has increased significantly, especially for small (fine) fruits (cherries, raspberries, currants), frozen and canned fruit. Fruit growing participates with about 3% of the agricultural GDP in Republic of North Macedonia. Rich yield, unlimited sales, high purchase prices and European earnings make growing raspberries a profitable agribusiness. The purpose of the research in this paper is to understand the situation on the world market of raspberries and how that situation affects the market in the Republic of North Macedonia. The aim is to analyze the import and export of raspberries in the world and the world's largest exporters and importers of raspberries are analyzed. All this contributes to the perception of the impact of world raspberry trade on production opportunities and raspberry cultivation in the Republic of North Macedonia. Therefore, this paper, in addition to world data of raspberries production, also presents the volume and value of frozen berry exports from the Republic of North Macedonia in the period 2015-2019, as well as foreign trade balance (import-export) in the country. Foreign trade balance (import-export) in Republic of North Macedonia indicates that in 2019 there is a positive foreign trade balance (import-export), which is higher by 56% compared to 2015. This means that the production of berries is a promising agricultural branch that has positive effects on the country's foreign trade balance. Key words: raspberries, global market trends, Macedonian raspberries market