Agriculture in a “coma”, food imports increase by 19 percent in the first quarter

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

At double-digit rates, imports of vegetables and fresh fruits also rose by around 15%, confirming that consumer demand is increasingly being met through imports.

Vegetable imports increased by over 3,300 tons in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period a year earlier, reaching a total of more than 25,000 tons. The same trend is reflected in fruits, where imported quantities expanded by nearly 3,900 tons, reaching a total of 29,700 tons.

The increase in import volumes for basic products such as fruits, vegetables, and food in general is being driven, among other factors this year, by climatic conditions. Domestic production has been affected by unfavorable weather conditions, including more frequent floods and frosts, leading to a significant reduction in output.

Additionally, demand from tourism in recent years has acted as a driver of import channels rather than domestic production. Foreign visitors during the season are increasing consumption demand 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 markets prefer contracts with foreign suppliers that guarantee stable quantities and standardized packaging throughout the year, conditions that fragmented Albanian production cannot ensure.

Moreover, Albanian farmers are facing a sharp increase in input costs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and especially fuel. Unlike countries in the region, subsidies in Albania remain among the lowest, making domestic products expensive right from the farm. This pushes traders, in order to maintain profit margins, to turn toward imports from countries like Greece, Turkey, and Egypt, where production is industrialized and heavily subsidized.

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

The continuous depreciation of the euro against the lek has also acted as a factor favoring imports.

Products coming from abroad cost less for local traders to purchase, while Albanian products aimed at export are losing value. This strengthening of the local currency has acted as an indirect subsidy for imports, dealing a double blow to domestic producers who cannot compete with lower foreign prices.

"KORÇA BOOM"