Albania-Kosovo, who sells more? From fuel to vegetables. Trade in the first half of the year
Trade between Albania and Kosovo expanded significantly during the first half of 2026, with both exports and imports increasing. However, the balance remains significantly in favor of Albania, with fuels accounting for the majority of goods sold in the neighboring market.
According to INSTAT data, during the period January-June 2026, Albanian exports to Kosovo reached around 20.6 billion lek, increasing by 17.7% compared to the same period a year earlier. At the same time, imports from Kosovo rose to 6.6 billion lek, or 12.1% more in annual terms.
As a result, Albania's trade surplus with Kosovo reached nearly 14 billion lek, up from about 11.6 billion lek a year earlier. In total, trade between the two countries reached a value of about 27.2 billion lek, an increase of over 16%.
The data also show a strong discrepancy between the value and quantity of exported goods. Although the value of exports increased by 17.7%, their weight fell by 15.7%, to about 403 million kilograms. This suggests that the growth was supported by higher prices or higher-value goods, rather than by an increase in the volume of shipments.
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and distillation products dominated Albanian exports to Kosovo, with a value of around 8.9 billion lek. This group alone accounted for around 43% of total exports to the Kosovo market.
Following them were salts, sulfurs, oxides, lime and cement, with about 2.2 billion lek, as well as vegetables with over 1 billion lek. Also significant were means of transport, iron and steel articles, paints, beverages, machinery and fruits.
On the other hand, imports from Kosovo were mainly focused on fuels, with about 1.16 billion lek, as well as on stone, plaster and cement products, with about 1.06 billion lek. Among the main categories were also plastics and products made from them, live animals, furniture and beverages.
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