Discusses the distribution network within the country from how products enter to final destination, including reliability and condition of distribution mechanisms, major distribution centers, ports, etc.
Last Published: 7/31/2019

U.S. companies seeking to distribute and sell their goods will find a considerable number of merchants, agents, middlemen, wholesalers, and retailers available in North Macedonia.  Most of the typical distribution channels are available, although they often lack the sophistication found in EU markets.

Since North Macedonia is a land-locked country, sea freight arrives primarily from the port of Thessaloniki in Greece, and less frequently from the ports in Piraeus (Greece) and Durres (Albania).  Air freight arrives at one of North Macedonia’s two airports:  in Skopje and Ohrid.  Information about cargo operations at Skopje’s airport can be found here.  Goods also arrive overland by truck and by rail.

Most consumer goods are imported by distributors who resell to retailers.  A few retailers import goods directly for sale in their own outlets.
North Macedonia's retail sector is dominated by small shops.  There are a few shopping malls in North Macedonia, including Skopje City Mall, which opened in 2012.
Two large foreign supermarket chains are present in the market: Vero (part of the Greek Veropoulos group) and Turkish Ramstore.  Local grocery retailers include Tinex, Kam Market and Kipper Market.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.