TIRANA, November 12 – Albanian agricultural exports grew significantly in the first nine months of 2025.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, said production today exceeds 2013 levels. He highlighted steady sector growth and increased investments.

Speaking to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development, Salla said vegetable production rose 57%. Aromatic and medicinal plants increased by 65%, while fruit trees grew by about one-third. Olive and citrus production showed similar gains.

Agri-food exports grew from 14.6 billion Lekë in 2013 to 53.2 billion Lekë in 2024. In the first nine months of 2025, exports reached 41.4 billion Lekë, up 7.4% from the same period last year.

The export-to-import coverage ratio also improved. In 2013, Albania imported 6.4 Lekë for every 1 Lekë of exports. Today, that figure is 2.9 Lekë.

Salla said progress reflects rising domestic food demand, influenced by tourism growth. Participation in support schemes expanded from 11,000 beneficiaries in 2013 to over 71,000 in 2025. The agriculture budget grew more than 3.5 times.

“Today we support farming, livestock, greenhouses, medicinal plants, and rural investments. Growth comes from more irrigated land, higher investment funds, and more collection centers,” Salla said.

He added that the next step is preparing for EU accession by 2027. He stressed the importance of training farmers, collectors, and processors to succeed in the European single market.

/a.p./