Albania imported 33,615 tons cereals more during the first quarter

TIRANA, May 8, 2008. The data released by Durres Harbor
Authority reveal that during the first quarter of 2008, through the
harbor were imported around 92,731 tons cereals (wheat and maize).
At the same period last
year, there were imported
only 58,116 tons
cereals. During the first
quarter of 2008, there
were imported 19,506
maize, compared to
only 2,979 tons imported
in January-
March 2007. The specialists
explain that the
huge difference by 33,615 tons is due to the increase of the price of
oil and fertilizers. The increase of the price of oil and fertilizers has
increased the cost of production and the Albanian cannot compete
with the foreign producers. Therefore, many of them are forced to
switch from cereals to other crops or abandon farming all together.
In addition to the cereals, during the first quarter of 2008, Albania
imported (through the Durr촩 Harbor) 5,514 tons of processed food,
or almost 1,000 tons more than during the same period last year.
In general the data released from the Durr촩 Harbor Authority
reveal the pitiful ratio import-export of Albania. The Harbor processed
altogether 907,822 tons of goods, 673,674 tons were imports
and only 234,148 tons were exports. (Tirana Times Staff)