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2025, imports from China increase rapidly, fall with the EU and Turkey

2026-01-20 11:05:00, Ekonomi CNA

Albania is rapidly increasing its dependence on China for goods, while imports from historical partners, the EU and Turkey, were declining by 2025 according to official data from INSTAT.

Last year, total imports reached 887.2 billion lek, a contraction of about 0.8%. This decrease came mainly from the contraction with the EU, which decreased from 460.2 billion lek or about 1.7% less compared to 2024.

On the other hand, imports from China increased significantly in 2025. They reached a value of 118.8 billion lek, an increase of 21.6% in just one year.

While the EU's share in the import structure is shrinking, China is taking on an increasingly larger role with around 13.4 percent of total imports in 2025 from 10.9% in 2024.

The increase in Chinese imports occurred in a year when the overall value of imports was declining, which indicates that it is becoming an increasingly dominant supplier to our country.

More detailed data shows that machinery and equipment constitute the main item and have made the largest contribution to the total growth. Imports of this group have increased from 49,001 million lek in 2024 to 59,334 million lek in 2025, with an addition of over 10.3 billion lek, or about 21%.

Construction materials are recording one of the strongest relative increases. They recorded a value of over 19,087 billion lek or about 48.8% compared to 2024. Market sources claim that this group is dominated by imports of iron, which was previously imported from the EU and Turkey.

Textiles and footwear have experienced a significant increase from 14,489 million lek to 15,874 million lek (+9.6%).

Others increased from 8,789 million lek to 10,035 million lek (+14.2%), reflecting a spread increase in smaller import categories.

Chemical products from China also recorded significant growth, +13.3%, while wood products and furniture increased by over 25%.

Also, imports of food, beverages and tobacco from China increased from 1,777 million lek to 2,093 million lek +17.8%), indicating increased dependence on imports even for basic consumer goods.

Compared to before the pandemic, imports from China have almost doubled from 59.7 billion lek in 2019 to 118.8 billion lek in 2025.

The main reason is related to the price competition of goods from China compared to European markets./ Monitor

2025, imports from China increase rapidly, fall with the EU and Turkey