Durmishi: Trade union calculation of the basket is more political than real

In August 2026, the consumer basket compiled by the Ministry of Economy and Labour was valued at 58,475 denars. During the same period, the minimum trade union basket reached 68,675 denars, a difference of approximately 10,200 denars.

Minister Besar Durmishi said the two calculations are based on different methodologies. According to him, the way the trade unions calculated the basket is more of a political action than a real reflection.

Speaking to TV Koha, Durmishi said that even the people who compiled the consumer basket data described it not as a minimum basket, but as a desired basket. He added that trade union representatives were conducting a campaign that was more political than factual, and announced that the Ministry’s basket would be presented to the members of the Economic and Social Council during the following week. According to him, data on the average basket will be made public every month.

Ministry data show that a family of four needed 58,475 denars for monthly expenses in August. Of this amount, 21,132 denars were allocated for food and beverages. Compared with July, the value of the basket increased by only 29 denars, while compared with January 2026, it recorded an increase of 2,095 denars, or 3.7 percent.

The Ministry explains that the calculations are based on information from the relevant institutions, including data from the State Statistical Office. The methodology includes product prices in eight cities, data from 23 fruit and vegetable markets, as well as the prices of the best-selling food products in major retail chains. Durmishi says this method of calculation is intended to reflect the actual average consumption of households.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia announced that the minimum trade union basket for August stood at 68,675 denars. In September, it rose to 69,432 denars, meaning an increase of 757 denars within one month.

According to the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, a family of four needed 25,259 denars for food and beverages alone in September. The trade union argues that its basket calculates the minimum essential expenses required to meet the basic needs of a four-member family. When the family lives in a rented 60-square-meter apartment, monthly expenses according to the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia’s calculation reach 84,807 denars.