In 2013, Albanian exports to Kosovo dropped to 16.3 billion lek (Euro 114 million), down 6.2 percent compared to the same period last year
TIRANA, Jan. 29 – Several disputes over tariffs and barriers considerably affected trade exchanges between Albania and Kosovo in 2013 and for the first time in the past five years, Albania exports to Kosovo registered negative growth rates. Latest data published by the country’s Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, show Albanian exports to Kosovo in 2013, registered a slight decline affected by trade disputes over customs clearance tariffs and the ban of Albanian milk products in early 2013.
In 2013, Albanian exports to Kosovo dropped to 16.3 billion lek (Euro 114 million), down 6.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Albania’s imports from Kosovo during 2013 rose by 17 percent to 6 billion lek (Euro 42 million).
Kosovo ranks the third most important destination of Albanian exports during this year after Italy and Spain, accounting for 7 percent of Albanian exports.
Last August, several days of protests by Albanian and Kosovo traders forced the Kosovo government to lift the trade barriers imposed on Kosovo customs points for Albanian exports. Both Albanian exporters to Kosovo and Kosovo importers had been protesting new customs clearance procedures in some new private terminals which significantly increased costs making Albanian exports to Kosovo non-competitive. In March 2013, the ban of two Albanian milk brands in Kosovo because of slightly higher levels of potentially carcinogenic aflatoxin sparked a new trade dispute between Albania and neighboring Kosovo.
Back in 2012, both Albania and Kosovo were involved in trade disputes over reference prices on cement and potato exports.
Albanian and Kosovo customs authorities have recently confirmed they are working to turn the customs points between the two neighbouring countries into virtual borders, eliminating barriers which have often resulted in trade disputes.
Albania’s trade exchanges with Kosovo have considerably increased in the past few years after the construction of the Highway of Nation linking the two countries in the shortest possible way despite ongoing trade barriers and disputes over reference prices, but yet remain below their potential. Data from Albania’s state Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, show Albania’s exports to neighbouring Kosovo climbed to 17.4 billion lek (Euro 122 million) in 2012, up 18.5 percent compared to 2011. Compared to 2009 when Albania finished its part of the Durres-Kukes highway, exports to Kosovo have more than doubled. Metals and minerals account for around 70 percent of Albania’s exports to neighbouring Central Bank data show Albania’s exports to Kosovo rose from a mere 22 million Euros in 2004 to a record 125 million Euros in 2012.
