Filipçe: Vineyard costs have risen sharply, while payment for grapes remains humiliating

During a visit to winegrowers in the Tikvesh region, SDSM leader Venko Filipçe described the situation in grape production as catastrophic. According to him, production costs have increased, while the price at which grapes are purchased is humiliating.

Filipçe announced that SDSM will introduce a draft law aimed at increasing the purchase price by 5 denars per kilogram for all categories of grapes, both for wine production and for consumption.

He said winegrowers are facing the same difficulties as last year and accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, the Government and the agriculture minister of what he described as cruel and inhumane conduct. Filipçe stressed that the prices offered for grapes are humiliating, while costs have increased severalfold.

“It is enough to look at how much fuel costs. Manual labor has also become more expensive, as the people picking the grapes are demanding 2,000 denars. In addition, the price of water has increased, and the price of fertilizer has risen enormously,” Filipçe said.