Baltic countries enjoy Albanian cabbage, vegetable exports increase by 71% in two months

2025-03-31 07:18:00, Ekonomi CNA

Baltic countries enjoy Albanian cabbage, vegetable exports increase by 71% in

The favorable season with warm climate and increased demand for Albanian cabbage from Eastern and Baltic countries positively affected vegetable exports in quantity in the first two months of 2025.

Official INSTAT data show that sales of vegetable quantities abroad recorded an annual increase of 71% in January-February 2025, but in the same period fruit exports suffered an annual decrease of 48%.

The climate this year has favored the yield of winter vegetables and greens in the field. Ruzhdi Koni, an exporter of agricultural products, stated that cabbage exports beyond the Region have increased significantly, especially to Eastern and Baltic countries, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, etc.

Mr. Koni said that there have been two positive developments this year specifically for cabbage, demand and price increased simultaneously.

Cabbage is a staple in Eastern European cuisine, but domestic production has not been optimal, leading to increased demand in other countries. Albania was a favorite.

Climate change is bringing products to market earlier and earlier, making them competitive in both price and demand.

Farmers are quickly adapting to the new demand. Moreover, cabbage cultivation does not require investment in greenhouses, as it grows in the field during the winter. Albania is exporting two types of cabbage, for salad and head cabbage used for various dishes.

Head cabbage is being exported to Serbia, Croatia, Austria and Bosnia, while salad cabbage is going to the Baltic countries such as Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, while significant quantities are also going to Moldova, Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria.

Albania is also a major exporter of vegetables and greens in the Region, where greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers dominate.

The largest amount of vegetables in February was exported to Serbia, with an annual increase of 86% in February, followed by Bosnia with 1,600 tons of exports in February, with an annual increase of 23%, and Kosovo with 1,500 tons of exports, with an increase of 35%.

The growth in export volumes in February was particularly strong for Bulgaria and Poland with 95 and 144% each.

Lushnja, Divjaka, Fieri, Vlora and Shkodra were the largest producers of cabbage this season, while more farmers are expanding the planted areas. / Monitor Magazine