Government Secures €10.1 Million Credit Line for Rice and Vranec Grape Harvest

The Government has activated a credit line of 793 million denars (€10.1 million) through the Development Bank, earmarked for financing the purchase of rice paddy and Vranec wine grapes ahead of the main harvest season.

The Government of North Macedonia has passed a Decision amending the conditions for using funds from its compensation funds. The existing credit line operated through the Development Bank has been given a specific purpose: financing the purchase of rice paddy and wine grapes of the Vranec variety.

Total Available: 793 Million Denars

Available funds from the existing credit line, along with free funds managed by the Development Bank, are being activated. The total available amount is 793,481,723 denars, or approximately €10.1 million. Of that, 240 million denars are earmarked for rice paddy purchases, and 553,481,723 denars for Vranec wine grape purchases.

Favourable Terms for Farmers

The maximum loan amount for Vranec purchases will be up to 130 million denars, and up to 30 million denars for rice paddy. Repayment terms are generous: up to six months for rice paddy and up to nine months for grapes. Both purposes carry a grace period of up to three months with quarterly repayments. The interest rate will be fixed at one percent per annum, with no one-time management fee. Applications will be processed in order of receipt.

"We are making this decision ahead of the main purchase period, when companies need significant funds to take delivery of produce while revenues from its sale or processing come later. With this instrument we are creating a financial foundation for purchases to proceed on time and for delivered harvest to be paid within a set deadline." — Government of the Republic of North Macedonia

The measure comes at the right moment — just before the main Vranec harvest and rice threshing season, when the agricultural sector faces its greatest liquidity needs. With these funds, buyers will be able to pay producers on time without waiting for revenues from downstream sales or processing.

🍇 Credit Line — Key Parameters

💰 Total amount: 793,481,723 denars (≈ €10.1 million)

🌾 Rice paddy: 240 million denars (max loan: 30 million)

🍇 Vranec grapes: 553 million denars (max loan: 130 million)

📅 Repayment: up to 6 months (rice) / up to 9 months (grapes)

⏳ Grace period: up to 3 months, quarterly repayment

📊 Interest rate: 1% p.a., no management fee

MKNews Hub · Economy · 30 July 2026