Agriculture export-import coverage ratio drops to 1:8

TIRANA, August 1 – The increase in agricultural exports during the first half of this year has slightly improved the trade balance in this sector. Government data show the export-import coverage ratio has dropped to (1:8), compared to the previous (1:9) ratio, meaning that Albania’s agricultural imports are at least 8 times bigger than its exports.
Government statistics show exports of agricultural, meat and agri-ndustrial products during the first half of this year grew by 31 percent year-on-year, totaling 5,292 billion lek.
Exports of vegetables and fruit trebled during the first half of this year while medicinal plants exports increased by 50 percent.
Meanwhile, imports of agricultural, meat and agri-industrial products rose by 12 percent compared to the first half of 2010, reaching 42,468 billion lek.