DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/27.3.5049
Original scientific paper
Determinants of agri-food trade: empirical evidence from North Macedonia
2026, 27 (3) p. 890-902
Filip SELAMOVSKI, Tatiana VORONOVA, Marija GJOSHEVA KOVACHEVIKJ
Abstract
The study aims to evaluate the impact of selected factors on North Macedonia’s agri-food trade flows for the period 1995-2024 by using the gravity model approach. Findings indicate that within this period, agri-food trade was shaped by the economic size of the agricultural sectors in North Macedonia and its trading partners, as well as geographic distance, contiguity, free trade agreements, historical links with former Yugoslav republics and cultural proximity. Results also underscore that economic ties with the former Yugoslav republics had the highest enhancement effect on the total trade volumes and imports. However, trend analysis highlights that this effect has been gradually diminishing amidst the more dynamic development of trade ties with other countries. Simultaneously, the positive impact of trade agreements, particularly the one with the European Union, has grown stronger, offsetting the declining influence of historic regional ties and reducing the negative impact of geographic distance. In general, trade agreements, to a certain extent, have strengthened the competitiveness of the Macedonian export-oriented agri-food sector. This study fails to find conclusive evidence about the significance of religious beliefs as a determinant of agri-food trade.
Keywords
gravity model, agri-food trade, trade costs, North Macedonia, economic integration
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