Goods exports reached 20.5 billion lek in August. They rose 1.6% compared with August 2025, according to INSTAT data.

Imports rose 12.6% year-on-year. They reached 75.6 billion lek. Compared with July, exports fell 39%. Imports also fell, by 12.6%.

The trade deficit reached 55 billion lek in August. It increased 17.4% compared with August 2025. It also rose 4.3% compared with July 2026.

“Construction materials and metals” and “Food, beverages and tobacco” supported export growth. Each group contributed 1.3 percentage points to the annual increase. “Minerals, fuels and electricity” added another 0.7 percentage points.

Meanwhile, “Textiles and footwear” had a negative impact. The group reduced export growth by 2.9 percentage points. “Chemical and plastic products” reduced it by another 0.6 percentage points.

Machinery, equipment and spare parts led import growth. The group contributed 4.8 percentage points. “Minerals, fuels and electricity” added 3.5 percentage points. “Construction materials and metals” contributed another 1.8 percentage points.

Among trading partners, Italy recorded the largest increase in Albanian exports. Exports to Italy rose 5%. Kosovo followed with a 1.5% increase.

Meanwhile, exports to Türkiye fell 54.1%. Exports to North Macedonia also declined, by 5.6%. China recorded the largest increase in imports. Imports from China rose 16.9%. Imports from Italy increased 2.2%.

Imports from Greece fell 3.4%. Imports from Germany also declined, by 3.6%.

Trade with European Union countries accounted for 46.2% of total trade. Exports to the EU represented 63.1% of Albania’s total exports. Imports from EU countries accounted for 41.6% of total imports.

/a.c/