North Macedonia temporarily bans vegetable oil exports

The Government of North Macedonia has imposed a ban on the export of sunflower oil until 31 May, as part of efforts to support the economy and address the challenges of rising food and energy prices. This measure is in line with a trade law that enables the government to regulate the export and import of goods in special circumstances. The ban is a response to the ongoing European and global crisis, the most severe since World War II, which is marked by increasing oil, flour, and gasoline prices in the Western Balkans, including Albania, against the backdrop of a ongoing gas and energy crisis in Europe since 2021 and the pandemic since 2020.