Goat Cheese Quality in North Macedonia

Abstract

The most significant agricultural industry in North Macedonia is the dairy industry, and white-brined cheese is a popular dairy product with a great history and the most selling cheese in the country. Considering the climatic conditions and the experiences of other countries, the Republic of North Macedonia has capacity for adequate development of goat breeding by creating small-to-medium goat farms and application of intensive or semi-intensive goat farming systems. There are various breeds of goats in the Republic of Macedonia such as the domestic Balkan goat, Saanen, and Alpine and crossbreeds between these breeds. The official restriction of goat breeding in the territory of Macedonia in 1947 had disastrous consequences; however, in 1989, goat breeding was again allowed and has increased. There are three most significant kind of cheeses manufactured in Macedonia, like white-brined, beaten, and kashkaval. White cheese in Macedonia (belo sirenje) is a brine cheese type with salty taste and close texture similar to beyaz peynir (a Turkish white cheese).