"Only Rama and the SP can change Albanian agriculture"/ Balla responds to Tabaku in the Parliament

2025-07-03 15:54:00, Politikë CNA

"Only Rama and the SP can change Albanian agriculture"/ Balla responds

Minister of State, Taulant Balla, responded today in Parliament to Democratic Party MP, Jorida Tabaku, regarding the state of agriculture in the country. In a long and strongly-worded reply, Balla emphasized that the transformation of Albanian agriculture into a modern and European sector is a mission that can only be accomplished by Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Socialist Party.

"If Albanian agriculture is to be transformed into European agriculture in this country, only Edi Rama and the Socialist Party can do this. Now, as for investments: more than 1,000 projects, where 400 new processing points and 120 agrotourism stand out, with a value of somewhere around 120 million or 125 million euros. But what distinguishes us is that in your time there was no agrotourism. We have reached 300 agrotourism, thanks to direct support, and our goal in the mandate that the Albanian people and the majority diaspora entrusted to us is to go to 1,000 during this new mandate. A figure that is more meaningful, because ultimately, the village does not want to talk," said Balla.

Responding to opposition criticism of the decline in agriculture, Balla brought concrete statistics, according to which agricultural exports have reached 579 million euros per year, three times more than in 2013. He also emphasized that imports of some basic products have decreased significantly.

“In 2024, the area of ??greenhouses in Albania reached a record 2,100 hectares, or 3 times more compared to 2013, when you left the country's government, you were fired. Agricultural exports in 2024–2025 will be even higher; they reached 579 million euros, or 3 times more than in 2013. After all, agriculture has declined, even though agricultural exports have tripled! The trade deficit was 1 to 9 in 2013 and has improved three times, going to 1 to 3. If during the time of Saliu and Jorida in government we imported 9 kg of tomatoes, now we import 3 kg of tomatoes – for those who don't understand. You can answer about cucumbers, I won't answer. I'm talking about tomatoes! But you asked me, you tell me the figure for cucumbers. Now, how much "It's about investments...", the minister ironically said, responding to the jokes from the audience. /CNA