Agriculture in a "coma"/ Food imports increase by 19% in the first quarter

2026-04-27 07:20:01, Ekonomi CNA

Agriculture in a "coma"/ Food imports increase by 19% in the first

The consumer basket is increasing its dependence on imports year after year, exposing the country more to external crises. Official INSTAT data show that in the first quarter of 2026, imported food increased in quantity by about 19 percent.

Imports of fresh vegetables and fruits also increased at double-digit rates, by about 15%, proving the fact that consumer demand is increasingly being met with imports.

Imports of vegetables increased by over 3,300 tons in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the same period a year earlier, reaching a total of over 25 thousand tons. The same trend is reflected in fruit, where the imported quantity expanded by nearly 3,900 tons, reaching a total of 29,700 tons.

The increase in import volumes for basic products such as fruits and vegetables and food in general is being dictated, among other things, this year by climatic factors. Domestic production this year was affected by unfavorable weather conditions, mainly floods and frosts, leading to a significant reduction in production.

Also, demand from tourism in recent years has served as a driver of import channels rather than domestic production. Foreign visitors during the season are increasing demand for consumption beyond the current capacities of farms, forcing traders to turn to imports to meet the needs of hotels and restaurants.

The reorganization of retail trade from small shops to large supermarket chains is also encouraging imports. Large supermarkets prefer contracts with foreign suppliers that guarantee stable quantities and unified packaging standards throughout the year, which fragmented Albanian production cannot provide.

Albanian farmers are also facing a galloping increase in input costs, such as seeds, chemical fertilizers and especially oil. Unlike countries in the region, subsidies in our country remain among the lowest, making domestic produce expensive right at the farm. This forces traders, in order to maintain profit margins, to orient themselves towards imports from countries such as Greece, Turkey or Egypt, where production is industrialized and massively subsidized.

Albanian agriculture is suffering from the massive emigration of the population from rural areas. The decline in the rural population and its aging have made intensive production very difficult, even in the absence of mechanization. This has led to entire areas of land being left fallow, creating a vacuum in the market that is being filled by imports.

The continued decline of the euro against the lek has also served as a favorable factor for imports. Products coming from abroad cost less to buy from our traders, while Albanian products aimed at export are losing value. This strengthening of the domestic currency has acted as an indirect subsidy for imports, doubly hitting Albanian producers who cannot compete with low foreign prices./ Monitor