Albanians consumed 100 million euros of cereals - Imports increase in quantity, purchased at cheaper prices
Albania has significantly increased the import of cereals from abroad, showing a higher trend in their consumption.
According to official data from the General Directorate of Customs, during 2024, approximately 338 thousand tons of cereals were purchased from abroad. If we analyze the last 5 years, it is noted that the highest quantity imported was in the pandemic year 2020 due to the fear that gripped Albanian citizens about the closure of borders and the increase in immediate demand, especially for wheat, a year in which about 365 thousand tons were imported and in the following years 2021-2023 there is a progressive decline, to be surpassed again in 2024.
This increase may have also come as a result of a good tourist season last year, which led to higher consumption.
As for their price, it seems that there has been a significant decline since 2020. Specifically, despite the volume of imports being higher in 2024, they reach a value of 10 billion lek or 100 million euros, which is almost the same as the year before where imports were significantly lower and also lower in value compared to the years 2021-2022 where the quantity imported was much lower and the value reached an average of 120 million euros. But despite this price being more favorable for importers, it has not been reflected in final consumers.
Wheat is also one of the main cereals for bread production but also for other by-products and is most preferred by Albanian consumers. In second place is millet. Rice also has a high volume of imports. These are the three main cereals purchased from abroad.
While in lower quantities and values, barley, oats, rye and quinoa are imported. In 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture undertook a policy of supporting farmers through a subsidy of 30 thousand lek per hectare for wheat cultivation, an initiative that was expected to increase production by nearly 20 percent. But since farmers encountered major problems in selling it, due to the higher cost compared to the imported product, this incentive was no longer implemented.
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