Tourism strongly increases fuel consumption/ 345 thousand tons cleared in the first half of the year
The tourist season and the use of weekends or early summer vacations by Albanian citizens have significantly increased fuel consumption in the country. Oil and gasoline have marked the highest increase among other excise goods imported in the first 6 months of the year.
According to official data from the Ministry of Finance, by June, approximately 345 thousand tons of fuel had been cleared and sent for consumption. Compared to January-June 2024, imports of this product increased by 44 thousand tons.
If we analyze the import of this product in this period compared to previous years, the figure reaches a record level.
The increase in fuel consumption, as one of the main products that affects the economic chain of goods and services, signals an increase in domestic demand and economic growth.
One of the reasons is the drop in the price of oil in the market, which is currently traded at an average price of 175 lek per liter, which makes citizens move more during the weekends and take advantage of short-term vacations. Also, the extension of the tourist season throughout the year, where we not only have tourists interested in coastal areas, but also in visiting tourist cities in the country, and a good part of them come with personal vehicles or rent cars, has led to a significant increase in consumption.
On the other hand, there has also been an increase in beer imports, where it seems that accommodation structures are buying more. In the first 6 months of 2025, 26.2 thousand tons of beer were imported, up from 17.5 thousand tons imported in January-June 2024.
But in addition to the role that tourism plays in the import of this product, the purchase of significant quantities from abroad has also been favored by the unification of excise duty for domestic production, which has brought a disadvantage to factories operating in Albania, which are facing high costs and numerous difficulties, but on the other hand has created more ground for importers.
Coffee imports have also increased, with 4,760 tons imported in the first five months of the year, an increase of 468 tons compared to the previous year.
Among excise goods, only the import of cigarettes has decreased, there was a decrease of 143 tons, where in 6 months 1308 tons were imported from 1451 tons in January-June 2024.
Revenues from excise duties, in the first half of the year, were realized in the amount of 321 million euros, 11.2% more than the same period in 2024, as well as realization in the amount of 15 million euros more than planned.
IMPORT OF FUEL
6-MONTH 2024 301.1 THOUSAND TONS
6-MONTH 2025 345.2 THOUSAND TONS
BEER IMPORT
6-MONTH 2024 23.2 THOUSAND TONS
6-MONTH 2025 26.2 THOUSAND TONS
COFFEE IMPORT
6-MONTH 2024 4292 TONNES
6-MONTH 2025 4760 TONNES
IMPORT OF CIGARETTES
6-MONTH 2024 1451 TONNES
6-MONTH 2025 1308 TONNES
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