TIRANA, September 28 /ATA/ Albania is one of the largest consumers of apples in Europe, but it is also doing well with the apple production and exports of this fruit.
According to statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the apple consumption in Albania has increased to 26 kg/capita compared to 19 kg/capita recorded in the European Union.
Apple is one of the most important fruit trees in our country both in terms of volume and value.
According to statistics, this year in Albania, apple production increased to 125,927 tons, compared to 105,933 tons that marked the total production of this crop last year.
The demand for apple cultivation and support through subsidy schemes has significantly increased domestic production, which has also influenced the improvement of the export/import balance of apples.
It is worth mentioning the fact that compared to last year, more than 20 thousand tons of apples were exported versus 13,765 tons of exports in 2021. While the import of apples decreased significantly to 7 tons of apples.
Apple production has spread to almost all the provinces of the country, while Korça and Dibra regions lead with the highest apple production, accounting for about 70% of the total apple production in the country.
The varieties that are produced the most in Albania are the Red Chief and Starking, which make up 52% of fruit trees, and Golden Delicious which make up 42%.
Other varieties of apples make up 6% of other fruit trees. This includes other types, which are not traditional varieties grown in the region, such as “Gala”, “Mutsu” and “Granny Smith”.
Currently, the production of apples meets over 90% of the needs of the local consumer, and in recent years the abundant production of this crop is being used as a raw material in the agro-processing industry, compotes, apple jam, apples occupy and so on.
The development of fruit culture has become a trend for farmers who are looking to adapt new standards of storage and annual display of this fruit.
For this purpose, the Program of Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, financed by the German Government, is working with the operators of refrigerated apple collectors as well as apple exporters, to bring the contemporary models and recent trends together with new experiences in apple storage in the refrigerator, which guarantee preservation of the quality and export of the apple./p.s./
