Exports of medicinal plants also registered a considerable 23 percent increase to 2.27 billion lek (Euro 16 mln)
TIRANA, May 29 – Albania’s agricultural exports registered a sharp 32 percent increase in 2011 boosted by the performance of canned fish and medicinal plant, the country’s top exported products. Agricultural exports rose by 32 percent to 12 billion lek (Euro 85 million) representing only 6 percent of the total exports in 2011, according to data published by the Agriculture Ministry.
Canned fish continues remaining Albania’s top agricultural export even in 2011 with an estimated 2,741 tonnes, worth around 3 billion lek (Euro 21 mln). In 2011, canned fish exports registered a 239 tonne increase and a 10 percent increase in value. Previous data from a detailed 2010 report show Italy was the overwhelming destination for 92 percent of total canned fish exports. Only 5 enterprises, employing 912 people operate in the fish conservation industry.
Exports of medicinal plants also registered a considerable 23 percent increase to 2.27 billion lek Euro 16 mln). Medicinal exports rose by 1,607 tonnes to 8,780 tonnes in 2011.
Previous data from an annual 2010 report by the Agriculture Ministry show most medicinal plants are exported to Germany, which ranks first with 2,031 tonnes worth 590 million lek, followed by the United States of America with 231 million lek and Turkey with around 160 million lek.
In communist times, Albania earned about 50 million US dollars a year exporting medicinal herbs, and the sector employed roughly 100,000 people. Today, Albania only exports about 8,000 tons of medicinal herbs per year, valued at around 15 million EUR. Experts say that if the plants were cultivated instead of being picked wild as they have been so far, the harvest could be increased as much as six fold.
The report show raw leather from the agri-industry exports rank the third most important export with 1.25 billion lek in 2011 registering a 30 percent increase.
As far as imports are concerned, they are dominated by agricultural products such as wheat, maize, rice. Total agricultural imports in 2011 were worth around 85 billion lek, registering a 5 percent increase. The deficit in agricultural trade in 2011 rose to 73 billion lek compared to 71 billion lek in 2010..
