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Honey is becoming a profitable business for farmers/ Production increased by over 6 thousand tons

2026-07-15 15:08:00, Ekonomi CNA

Honey is becoming a profitable business for farmers/ Production increased by

Beekeeping has expanded significantly in recent years, becoming a profitable business for farmers. Albania has a nature full of vegetation that serves as pasture for bees and on the other hand the profit rate is higher in this branch of agriculture, despite the fact that even here the risk is high.

Official data shows that honey production in the country increased by 30.3% during the period 2021-2025, reaching 6,299 tons in 2025, from 4,835 tons in 2021. The increase was recorded in almost all regions, with the exception of Shkodra, which was the only region to record a decrease during this period.

According to INSTAT, the strongest expansion was recorded in Gjirokastra, where production almost tripled, with an increase of 191.5% after the pandemic. High rates were also recorded in Dibër (85.5%), Tirana (64.6%) and Elbasan (50.8%). Durrës, although remaining the region with the lowest production, also recorded an increase of 46.4%.

In 2025, Korça was the largest producer of honey in the country, with 1,006 tons, followed by Vlora with 855 tons and Elbasan with 825 tons. These three regions, together with Shkodra, account for over half of the national production.

Shkodra lost the leading position it held in 2021, as production shrank by 32.4% over four years, although a partial recovery was observed in the last two years.

The increase in honey production in recent years is related to the expansion of the number of hives, the increase in interest in beekeeping as a source of income, and the increase in consumer demand for local and natural products.

In some regions, the positive performance has been supported by the increase in the price of honey and favorable climatic conditions. Farmers across the country are directing investments and knowledge towards improving breeding techniques, driven by the increase in demand and the price that for some types of honey, such as chestnut, exceeds 30 euros per kilogram.

However, the large differences between regions show that production remains dependent on local factors, such as weather, bee diseases, pesticide use, and the amount of flowers and plants where bees forage./ Monitor