According to the National Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, Albania’s trade deficit for the January–July period narrowed to 276 billion lek, down 5.8% compared to the same period in 2024.

In July alone, exports rose 5.7% year-on-year to 35 billion lek, though they were down 0.5% from June. Imports in July totaled 83 billion lek, down 2.4% from a year earlier but up 9.1% month-on-month.

The monthly trade deficit stood at 48 billion lek, 7.5% lower than in July 2024 but 17.3% higher than in June.

The main drivers of export growth in July were minerals, fuels and electricity (+12.8 percentage points), machinery and equipment (+1.2 pp), and food, beverages and tobacco (+0.8 pp).

Declines were recorded in construction materials and metals (-8.0 pp) and chemical and plastic products (-1.3 pp).

On the import side, lower volumes were seen in construction materials and metals (-2.0 pp) and machinery and equipment (-1.7 pp), while increases were recorded in food, beverages and tobacco (+0.9 pp) and minerals and energy (+0.7 pp).

INSTAT said the July data reflected a year-on-year improvement in the country’s trade balance, driven mainly by industrial sector performance.

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