Furniture imports, at record/ Construction and tourism increase demand in the first five months
Imports of furniture, mattresses and lighting equipment reached the highest level ever recorded for the first five months of the year.
According to calculations based on INSTAT data, during the period January-May 2026, Albania imported around 5.11 billion lek of goods in this category, up from 5.05 billion lek in the same period a year earlier.
Compared to the first five months of 2025, imports increased by 1.1%, or about 55.5 million lekë. Compared to the same period of 2024, the increase is 7.3%, while compared to 2023 it is about 14.2%.
In May alone, imports of furniture, mattresses and lighting equipment reached 1.18 billion lek, increasing by 5.9% compared to May last year and by 4.1% compared to April. May was also the third consecutive month during which imports of this category exceeded the value of one billion lek.
The growth can be attributed to continued construction activity, the expansion of the tourism sector and strengthening domestic consumption. Furnishing of new housing, hotels and apartments used for short-term rentals increases demand for furniture, beds, mattresses and lighting equipment.
In the first quarter of 2026, 322 permits for new buildings were approved, 24.8% more than in the same period last year. Tourism indicators also suggest higher demand from accommodation structures.
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