Last year was one of the most successful years for Macedonia's agriculture-food sector, with the largest export registered in the past two decades, amounting to EUR 424 million, said Tuesday Deputy-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Perica Ivanovski citing State Statistical Office data.

"Last year's export is by EUR 66 million higher than the one in 2009, resulting in reduction of the trading deficit by 23.5 percent compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the total volume of commercial exchange is EUR 955 million, which is dominated by primary agriculture products (70%), followed by agriculture products processings (25%) and fish (1-3%)", stressed Ivanoski.

According to him, the record export is owed to the output increase as a result of the Government's support, but also favorable prices for majority of the agriculture products.

"Tobacco registered highest export, followed by vegetables (primarily tomatoes, paprika and cabbage), and fruits (primarily apples, grapes and melons)", added Ivanovski.

Moreover, significant export was also registered in the sector of wine and bottled wine, processed vegetables, meat processings and confectionery products.