Specifically, it concerns three shipments of “Clementine” mandarins exported by food collection entities located in Berat and Fier. Two of the shipments have arrived at the country of origin.

One shipment was sent by the AKU Border Inspection Point to the exporting entity and was destroyed by farmers from Gorican (Dimal) and Mursi (Konispol).

The laboratory analysis conducted on November 14, 2024, in Bari, Italy, as part of the exporting entity’s self-monitoring, confirmed that the product was compliant with pesticide residue level standards.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MBZHR) reports that another shipment is blocked in Fier County, and the destruction of the products will be handled by the Food Business Operator in collaboration with relevant authorities.

The Ministry informs that this shipment did not include a laboratory report, as it is not legally required for exporting entities, which carry out this process as part of their self-monitoring.

Furthermore, the third shipment, which was reported to contain excessive levels of plant protection products, has not yet reached Albania. It was also not accompanied by a test report.

Regarding the first mentioned shipment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MBZHR) announced that the National Food Authority has immediately taken action against the administrative violations of the relevant entity in Berat, imposing a fine and suspending its activity for non-compliance with the applicable legislation.

“Food safety is a collective responsibility. We take this opportunity to call on all Albanian farmers and producers to meet their legal obligations and follow best practices throughout the farm production chain, using only authorized products under professional supervision to ensure safe local production for Albanian consumers and international markets,” the press release says.

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