Albania's walls are being 'built' with foreign concrete - According to INSTAT, cement imports have increased by 40 percent

More cement, lime, and steel are landing in Albania to support the construction boom, both for new buildings and for interventions in existing housing. 

According to data from the Institute of Statistics, the import of cement and lime, key ingredients in concrete production, has increased by 39%, reaching approximately 887 thousand tons last year.

The same increase has been observed in the import of steel, an essential material for the construction of foundations and columns. 

In the last five years, around 800 thousand tons of steel have been imported into Albania, with an increase of 13%, according to INSTAT.

This dynamic is also reflected in building permits. In 2023 alone, 1,602 permits were granted for various projects, ranging from palaces and private homes to silos for business purposes.

Excluding neighboring countries such as Italy, Montenegro, or North Macedonia, the bulk of construction materials are coming from Asia and Africa – two continents rich in raw materials and competitive prices. 

From India in the East, to Egypt and Tunisia on the shores of the Mediterranean, these countries have a long tradition in the processing of building materials, a long heritage.

It should also be said that the rest of the construction materials are produced domestically. Meanwhile, Albania is also an exporter of cement and iron for construction.