Leguminous vegetables market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for leguminous vegetables in Albania expanded from 16 824 t in 2018 to 17 421 t in 2020, despite a minor dip in the latter year. Initial growth was supported by increased vegetable production in key regions like Fier, Tirana, and Berat, where greenhouse farming accounted for over a fifth of output. Investments in export-oriented companies, which established collection networks with thousands of farmers, further bolstered domestic supply. However, by 2019, farmers reported challenges such as low prices and inadequate market access, which tempered expansion. Global economic disruptions in 2020 contributed to a slight contraction in market volume.

A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with the market surging to 20 913 t, largely driven by a new law that permitted unprocessed fruits and vegetables in schools, stimulating demand. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 22 115 t, fueled by rising consumer preference for domestic produce in supermarkets and industry events that fostered collaboration among stakeholders. Although the war in Ukraine elevated costs for Albanian businesses, the market maintained its upward trajectory. In 2023, volume eased slightly to 21 721 t, reflecting stabilization after two years of strong growth.

Production leguminous vegetables in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Albania's production of leguminous vegetables declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 17,837 tonnes, but then fell by 1.2% to 17,621 tonnes in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports leguminous vegetables from Albania

Exports in kind, t

The export data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 73.5 tonnes, then surged to a high of 205.6 tonnes in 2020, marking a 2.8-fold increase between these years. Compared to 2019, exports in 2020 grew significantly by 92.0%. The sharpest decline was recorded in 2018, when exports dropped by 43.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro together consistently accounted for 84.5% of Albania's total leguminous vegetable exports in volume terms. This high concentration indicates a reliance on these two markets, with the remaining exports spread across a long tail of smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at 73.7 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 230.6 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a 3.1-fold increase. Compared to the previous year, exports in 2020 rose sharply by 152.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 26.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia dominated Albania's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms. Montenegro led with a 40.4% share, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 38.3%, and Serbia at 8.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 87.3% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020

Imports leguminous vegetables to Albania

Imports in kind, t

Albania's imports of leguminous vegetables increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 5.2 tonnes, up by 49.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, imports grew dramatically by 1,208.3%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 135.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Albania's leguminous vegetable imports in volume terms, accounting for 95.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Albania's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3.4 thousand US dollars, representing a strong increase of 24.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, imports surged by 857.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 112.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017–2020 period, virtually all of Albania's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms came from Morocco, which held a 94.5% share of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020