At the peak of domestic production, imports of fruits and vegetables rose by 18% in May

2024-06-21 10:30:00, Ekonomi CNA

At the peak of domestic production, imports of fruits and vegetables rose by 18%

Illustrative photo, taken from Google

The season of agricultural production is at its peak, where, in addition to greenhouses, harvests have now also started in the fields, but the data show that these quantities are not sufficient to meet domestic demand, as imports of fruits and vegetables marked a significant increase during the month of May.

Data on foreign trade in the first 5 months of the year show that during the past month, greens imports increased by 18.6% compared to the same period a year ago, while fruit imports in quantity increased by 17.5% for the same period.

For the entire 5-month 2024, imports of greens increased by 48.3% in quantity and those of fruits by 42%.

The quantities of exports were also increasing, but in lower percentages. In January-May 2024, fruit exports increased by 15.9% and greens by 14%.

Data on foreign trade show that domestic production is being consolidated in greenhouses that are mainly destined for export, while positive developments in tourism are promoting the growth of imports.

The decline of the population, especially in rural areas, is reducing the supply of agricultural products in the country's markets, which are being supplied by imports.

Despite the efforts of accommodation units in the country to supply themselves with local products, this is not always possible, as the prices of imported products are often lower than those of domestic production.

Cheaper prices of foreign goods are rapidly increasing import channels. However, imports at cheaper prices endanger and discourage Albanian farmers. Drita, a livestock farmer in the Zadrima area of ??Lezhë, is getting ready to sell her flock of 200 sheep as the milk is being sold below cost.

More or less this phenomenon is working for some other cultures as well. For example, Korça beans are sold at almost 40% more than import as production costs have increased since seed, labor and other inputs.

Mr. Plasa, who produces potatoes in Pojan, Korça, said that, last year, the price of potato seed increased, making many growers not plant as much as they wanted.

He said that imports are putting pressure on prices, but the country's potatoes are of high quality and there is always demand. A kilogram of seed potatoes costs from 160 to 250 Lek per kilogram and this requires a large initial financial commitment from the farmer.

Albanian productions have high costs due to the lack of subsidies, causing the efforts of livestock breeders and farmers to be ruined by competitive imports./ Monitor