Greenhouse Production in Macedonia - Challenges and Opportunities

Greenhouse tomato makes the largest share of vegetable production in the World. The developments of biological sciences and high technology in the protected crops sector have enabled drastic increase in the yield and contributed to improvement of the fruit quality. Main indicators for the fruit quality still remain to be evaluated by appearance (shape, color, size) whereas the sensor traits (taste and aroma) are somehow neglected. Among the consumers there is a general impression that tomatoes grown on substrates are artificial, plastic, tasteless products, compared to the "genuine" tomato raised on soil. On the other hand, Macedonian vegetables have a very good reputation in the region with their fresh recognizable taste and aroma. It will be a challenge in the future to preserve it. Limiting factors for profitable glasshouse production in the Republic of Macedonia are the extreme temperatures in winter and in summer time. For that reason, not only that the glasshouse capacities are underutilized, but the expensive tomato hybrids that are intended for at least 10 months cropping period can not return the profit within the short cropping period of 3-4 months. The institutional and educational systems in Macedonia do not keep the pace with latest developments in the greenhouse industry. In absence of the know-how the greenhouse operators are directed to search for consultancy, technology and equipment from foreign suppliers and providers.