Albania has witnessed a significant increase in the importation of fruits and vegetables, with a 63% rise in January-February 2024 compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Conversely, the export growth rate for these commodities is markedly slower. This trend underscores a growing reliance on foreign markets, exacerbated by the euro's depreciation impacting the production sector. The agricultural sector, despite having the potential for superior quality production due to Albania's favorable climate and geographical positioning, is regressing.
Comparative data from the initial months of 2023 and 2024 reveal a dramatic shift in the trade balance, with imports notably outpacing exports this year. Specifically, green vegetable imports surged by 79%, and fruit imports increased by 49% in the early months of 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
Market observations indicate that over 80% of the produce available in retail markets is imported, with a variety of food products being sourced from countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Ukraine, and North Macedonia. This reliance on imports, which saw a 10% increase in volume for the entire year of 2023—the highest in two decades—highlights the challenges facing Albania's food self-sufficiency.
Source: alfapress.al