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Imports of greens have marked an unusual increase in the first 6 months of 2021, signaling that the consumption of domestic products is being rapidly replaced by foreign products.
INSTAT data show that, in January-June 2022, about 27 thousand tons of greens were imported, from about 19 thousand tons last year in the period, or about 8 thousand tons more.
The import channels of agricultural products have been revitalized. Now in all the minority markets, at the peak of local production, you can find packed tomatoes from Greece and Italy.
Previously, some restrictions worked to protect local production, but this year imported goods, such as tomatoes, potatoes and some other types of vegetables, have entered our market like never before in recent years.
Although exports of local greens are increasing, their percentage is lower than the increase in imports of these products. In the first 6 months, exports of greens in quantity increased by about 10%, while imports by 44%.
Commercial operators claimed that domestic agricultural products, especially those of greenhouses, were more limited in quantity this year, as the increase in exports was influenced by the increase in the number of contracts with foreign countries for their export.
As a result of the decline in production and the increase in exports, part of the needs for domestic consumption are being met by imports.
Food and beverage exports in value increased by 18.5% for the 6-month period, from 20% in the 5-month period. This was the lowest growth compared to other export groups. In other years, food exports had the highest growth rates, due to the low base of exports and increased production in greenhouses.
Farmers in the Myzeqe area claim that this year export prices were higher, but the quantity was low because part of the greenhouses were not planted due to high input prices.
While the country’s economy in 2021 grew at the highest rates of the last two decades by over 8.5%, agriculture, the largest sector of the economy, recorded the lowest growth compared to other sectors with only 0.28%. The same situation continued in the first quarter of 2022 with only 0.1%.
Historically, agricultural businesses, especially production farms, have suffered from low rates of profit, but recently the increase in the costs of raw materials left hundreds of hectares of land unplanted. In the areas of Fier and Lushnja, this year, urea is sold 120% more expensive and nitrate almost 250% more than last year./Monitor
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