Construction materials were imported 8.3% cheaper this year

2025-12-25 14:28:00, Ekonomi CNA

Imports of construction materials decreased in value this year, but increased in quantity because their prices in international markets were lower.

According to official INSTAT data, the amount of imported materials has increased slightly to around 1.26 million tons in the 11-month period, or around 1.3% more. This indicates that the physical volume of materials has been somewhat higher.

In contrast, the total value has decreased significantly. It has dropped from around 111.2 billion lek in November 2024 to 103.3 billion lek this year, with a contraction of around 7.9 billion lek, or 7.1%.

As a result, the price per kilogram has decreased by 8 percent for the period in question. One kilogram of imported construction materials cost 80.96 lek this 11-month period from 88.3 lek per kilogram, which was the price in 2024.

The decrease of about 7.3 lek per unit, or 8.3%, indicates a strong downward pressure on construction material prices in international markets.

This decrease in import prices was not reflected in the domestic market as data on construction costs show that in the third quarter the prices of construction materials at retail outlets had decreased by only 0.1%.

Prices in international raw material markets have normalized after strong increases in 2021–2023. Materials such as steel, cement, aluminum or other basic construction products have suffered price reductions in international markets, directly reflecting in import prices in Albania. This has meant that, even with higher volumes, the total value is lower.

On the other hand, the structure of demand also seems to have changed, shifting towards more basic and less expensive materials. Market operators claim that there is an increase in the import of iron from China, which was not previously a main source of supply.

The strengthening of the lek against the euro during 2025 has had an impact on the reduction of the lek value of imports, even when foreign exchange prices or quantities have not changed significantly. This exchange rate effect is directly reflected in foreign trade statistics.

There is also a slowdown in the growth of demand for materials due to the more moderate pace of new projects./ Monitor