TIRANA, March 22 /ATA/ – Albania’s agricultural exports went up by 30 percent in the first months of 2018 compared to the same period of 2016, with fresh and quality vegetables leading an ever growing demand trend from countries in the region while expending their export map to EU member states.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dhimitër Kote, told an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) that countries in the region as well as EU member states are mainly demanding Albanian agricultural products.
Fresh produce Made in Albania are attracting a lot of interest from Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and many EU member states.
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture, fresh vegetables, including tomato, pepper, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower and other products such as beans, watermelons, etc., are some of the most preferred products, which make up majority of the exports to Europe and the region.
Albania’s agricultural exports have increased by 30 percent, whereas exports grew by 20 percent year on year in 2017.
“This means that collection centres and exporters are already familiar with the market demands and they respond to their needs and demand with Albanian production, complying with quality and standards,” Kote said.
One specific example – he explains – is Albania’s participation in the Berlin Fair, the largest agricultural fair in Europe, where 22 Albanian companies showcased their products and signed cooperation agreements with foreign companies, thus confirming the expectations for growing agricultural production and the growing demand for Albanian agricultural products in the foreign markets.
Deputy Minister Kote, a well-known agronomy expert, emphasized that exports and development of agro-processing industry are two key ways to develop Albania’s agriculture.
“The Albanian agriculture is consolidating its growth trend and is improving standards by being certified according to GLOBALG.AP to ensure the sustainable growth of exports. The agriculture ministry has included the certification of agricultural products in the subsidy scheme in order to enhance competitiveness of Albanian products in the international market,” Kote added.
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