Speaking at the forum that brought together dozens of business representatives from both countries and from various institutions, Minister Krifca listed a series of sectors in the field of agriculture and food that make Albania competitive and attractive for foreign investments.

“Albania is a country that applies organic farming. The indicators of the World Food Organization, FAO, found that Albanian agriculture uses 4 times less fertilizers than the EU average. The marine fishing sector of 450 vessels together with aquaculture products generate more than 80 million euros of exports per year. This sector is supported by processing units that export seafood products all over the world and create great employment opportunities, especially for young people and women,” said Krifca.
The minister presented livestock and the value chain for meat and livestock products, as a good opportunity of cooperation with foreign enterprises, in the process of restructuring the value chain, and strengthening food security in the sector.

Also, Krifca said, Albania is a Mediterranean country that stands out for its emblematic products such as vineyards, wine, olives, olive oil and medicinal and aromatic herbs.

“Tradition, autochthonous varieties of vineyards and olive trees as a national asset and an indicator of the special identity of our country, have turned into an opportunity to rebuild the wine production sector in Albania with significant investments in the creation of new wineries which have oriented their production towards quality and are successful in international fairs. Today, Albanian olive oil is sold in sophisticated markets and is exported to the United States of America. Albania is one of the 25 most important global exporters of medicinal plants. 92% of the annual production of 15 thousand tons goes for export where a significant part (70%) goes to the most important world markets such as Germany, other EU countries and the United States of America”, the minister informed.

Focusing on the new growing trend of agricultural exports, Krifca pointed out that “Made in Albania” agricultural products are high in demand by foreign markets, expanding the geography of the countries to Asia, the Scandinavian countries, the USA, etc.

“Today, agriculture accounts for over 66% of the volume of exports and 43% of the value of the total exports in Albania,” she added.

/sm/