Which region produces the most medicinal plants? Production doubles in a decade. Shkodra dominates with 72% of the weight
The recorded production of medicinal plants and spices in Albania has continued to grow during 2025, reaching the highest level of the last decade. INSTAT data shows that a total of 21 thousand tons of medicinal plants and spices were produced last year.
Compared to 2024, when production was 19.2 thousand tons, the increase is estimated at about 9.6%, or 1,841 tons more within one year.
The increase in production has also been accompanied by an expansion of cultivated areas. In 2025, the area recorded with medicinal plants and spices reached 8,251 hectares, up from 7,508 hectares the year before. This represents an increase of nearly 10%.
The fact that area and production have increased at almost the same rate indicates that the average yield has remained relatively stable, at around 2.5 tons per hectare.
In a longer-term comparison, production has almost doubled. In 2015, the country reported 10,760 tons of medicinal plants and spices, while in 2025 the amount reached over 21 thousand tons. Within a decade, the increase is about 96%.
Production is mainly concentrated in the Shkodra region. During 2025, this region produced 15,199 tons, accounting for over 72% of the country's total production.
In just one year, the cultivated area in Shkodra increased from 5,400 to 6,200 hectares, while production expanded by more than 2,000 tons. This increase explains almost all of the increase registered at the national level.
After Shkodra, Elbasan ranks second, with 2,227 tons, although production was slightly lower than the previous year. Berat produced 1,063 tons, while Gjirokastra maintained the same level as in 2024, with 680 tons.
In Fier, a significant increase in production was recorded, from 300 to 413 tons, despite a slight decrease in area. In contrast, in Korça, production fell from 651 to 431 tons, in parallel with the contraction of the cultivated area.
It should be clarified that these figures belong to the statistical category of field plants and are related to the areas and production recorded by agricultural institutions. They should not be automatically interpreted as the entire quantity of medicinal plants collected in the country's territory.
Airbnb in Albania, how is the market changing? Vlora leads the flow, Golemi records the highest average daily rate
The Airbnb market in Albania continues to show positive performance during 2026, with the Albanian Riviera remaining the most sought-after destination by......
Rules for beneficial owners tightened - Law changes again, more control over money laundering
The government will amend the law on beneficial owners, with the aim of filling the gaps it has and the spaces it creates for money laundering by legal......
Exchange rate/ Slight increase for the Franc and the Pound
The US dollar has not had significant changes in value from the previous day, starting this Wednesday at stable values, as it was bought today at 81.4 lek......
Bad weather in the country, MIE: 21 feeders out of order and over 1,000 employees on the ground to restore power
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has announced the measures taken to cope with the situation created by the bad weather last evening and early......
Vehicles remain the "engine" of the insurance market - AMF: Compulsory insurance continues to lead, while life insurance maintains positive rates
Compulsory motor insurance continues to hold the main weight in the Albanian insurance market. During the first half of the year, this segment accounted for......
Albania "wins" the visitor race with Kosovo/ Attracting more visits to structures, the flow peaked in May
Albania has welcomed significantly more visitors from Kosovo than Kosovo from Albania during the first five months of 2026. Data processed from monthly......
Global hunger continues to decline in 2025 - Africa the most affected continent, 1 in 5 people malnourished
Global hunger fell for the third consecutive year in 2025, with improvements recorded on every continent. However, growing risks from climate change and......
1 in 5 jobs in the EU vulnerable - New report from Eurofound: Spain tops the list
"A multidimensional phenomenon that includes income insufficiency, employment insecurity and lack of rights in the workplace," is how Eurofound defines......
