Will this be the most successful summer season? Businesses prepare, parasol imports reach historic record in April
Imports of sun umbrellas and similar products reached a record level in April 2026, reflecting the expansion of tourist activity and intensive preparations for the summer season.
INSTAT data shows that the value of imports for the category "Sunshades, walking sticks, etc." reached around 92 million lek in April 2026, the highest level ever recorded for a month since 2005. The previous record was held from May 2023, when imports had reached around 89.9 million lek.
The increase is not only related to prices, but also to the quantities imported. In April, the weight of imports reached about 171 thousand kilograms, the highest historical level for this month and one of the highest levels ever recorded. Compared to April last year, the net weight of imports increased by more than 106%, while the value expanded by over 21%.
Data shows that demand for seasonal equipment and infrastructure is increasing significantly, at a time when tourism businesses are increasing investments for the summer season. The expansion of accommodation structures, bars and beach areas seems to be accompanied by an increase in imports of summer equipment, especially beach umbrellas.
If until a few years ago imports for this category usually fluctuated between 20 and 50 million lek in the spring months, in recent years they have increased significantly, reflecting the expansion of the tourism industry and increased investments along the coastline.
The origin of imports is mainly dominated by countries in the region and Italy. In April, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the main supplier for this product category, accounting for about 44% of total imports, followed by Italy with 28.8% and China with 18.6%. The rest of the market was divided between countries such as Turkey, Greece and Indonesia, while imports from other countries remained minimal.
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