This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 6/24/2019

Albania has a total land area of 28,750 square kilometers, of which 24% is agricultural, 36% forest, and 15% pasture or other type of land.

While agriculture no longer dominates the Albanian economy, it contributed around 22% to national GDP in 2017. In 2018, imports of agricultural products totaled approximately $980 million. Exports have continued to rise, reaching about $300 million in 2018, a 6.5% increase from 2017.

The government hopes to boost agricultural production by providing financial support to farmers and facilitating private investment in the agro-processing sector. Over the last three years, the government allocated around $60 million to support the development of fruit and olive orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, and crop storage facilities, and to support projects in the agro-processing industry. Over the same period, the government invested $60 million for drainage and irrigation infrastructure and $10 million for food safety and consumer protection.

Despite a mild climate, fertile land, and abundant water resources, the agriculture sector remains underdeveloped, due largely to fragmented land, small plot size, and limited mechanization. The limited use of fertilizers and pesticides offers opportunities for investments in organic agriculture. Opportunities also exist for the production and processing of high-value cash crops.

Leading Sub-Sectors
•              Meat
•              Grains
•              Cereals
•              Animal feed
•              Dry fruits
•              Sugar
•              Farm machinery
•              Food processing equipment

Opportunities
Grain: The Albanian market consumes around 500 metric tons of grain per year, most of which is imported. In 2018, Albania imported 376,000 tons of cereals, mostly wheat and maize. Imports from Russia and Serbia represented almost 90% of the total, worth slightly more than $100 million. Albania has historically imported limited quantities of U.S. wheat. Albania’s main port, Durres, is shallow and does not accommodate the largest seagoing cargo vessels.

Meat: Domestic production of beef and poultry is growing, though opportunities exist for U.S. exports of meat and chicken. In 2018, meat imports totaled $50 million, consistent with the previous three years. The United States is Albania’s second largest supplier of meat, U.S. imports of which totaled $6.3 million in 2018. Albania’s largest meat supplier remains Brazil, which imported $21.5 worth of meat in 2018.

Animal feed: Albania is a net importer of protein meals for animal feed. Soybeans are not produced locally, so Albania imports all its soy-related products—mostly from neighboring countries. Albania produces a significant amount of maize, chiefly for animal feed. In 2018, Albania imported a combined 88,000 tons of animal feed (chapter 23) worth $40 million. Demand for animal feed is rising due to growing investment in the livestock sector. 

Web Resources
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Agrarian and Rural Development Agency
ABMC
 

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