The export of Albanian agricultural products to the European Union reached a record 473 million euros (38 billion rubles) in 2022, the country’s Agriculture Minister Frida Krifka said on March 2, according to Fruitnet, an information portal on agriculture and agricultural news.
This represents an increase of 15.6% in volume and 18.1% in value over 2021. Agricultural analysts believe the growth was driven by investments in export infrastructure such as storage and refrigeration facilities.
Fruit and vegetable products account for 20% of Albania’s agricultural production, while they account for 36% of its exports, and this proportion is expected to increase, according to a 2022 World Bank report. Greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes , cucumbers, peppers, cabbages, onions and leeks are among the most exported products in the country.
The report cites a favorable climate, proximity to European markets and low labor costs as reasons for Albania’s strong investment potential, as well as the high quality and competitiveness of its export supply. Tomatoes in particular represent a great opportunity as they can compete on quality with products from other countries in Western European markets.
The report identified a number of problems facing Albania, in particular, rising cultivation costs and poor infrastructure. Other products identified by the World Bank as potential sources of income for Albanian farmers include canned fish, nuts, fruit, watermelons and olives.
As a reminder, Albania is highly dependent on its agricultural sector, which accounts for 20% of GDP, 40% of employment and 12% of total exports.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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