Pork market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

Albania's pork market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, initially shaped by heavy dependence on imports and high meat prices. The market reached 14 739 metric tons in 2018, supported by substantial imports from multiple countries due to low domestic production and lack of organized pig farming. However, persistently high prices combined with consumer shifts toward more affordable foods like bread reduced consumption, contributing to a decline to 12 086 metric tons in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought increased attention to food safety of frozen meat, which helped sustain import levels and pushed the market volume to 12 909 metric tons. In the following years, rising fuel and agricultural input costs raised production expenses, while authorities focused on improving quality control of imported meat. These factors, along with minor legislative changes to enhance market transparency, contributed to a sharp contraction in 2022, when the market fell to 8 829 metric tons.

The market rebounded to 13 270 metric tons in 2023, driven by a surge in imports that offset lower domestic production. Throughout the period, local producers faced challenges from high input costs and reliance on imported raw materials, though there were ongoing efforts to expand pig farming capacities and invest in cold chain infrastructure.

Production pork in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Albania's pork production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 K t of pork, representing a 12.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 22.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.0%.

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

Exports pork from Albania

According to market overview data, Albania did not export any pork from 2017 to 2020.

Imports pork to Albania

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Pork imports reached their peak in 2018, then dropped to their lowest point in 2019 — a variation of 2.4 times. In 2020, Albania imported 3 907 t of pork, marking a 110.7% year-over-year increase. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 855 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 4 422 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 58.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (57.2% of imports in kind), the United States (15.2% of imports in kind), and Canada (12.9% of imports in kind) formed the core of Albania's pork imports, together accounting for 85.3% of total import flows.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Pork imports varied by 2.4 times, from a high in 2018 to a low in 2019. In 2020, Albania's pork imports from abroad amounted to 6 431 K $ US, reflecting a 90.6% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 374 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 8 165 K $ US. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a 58.7% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Brazil (65.2% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.4% of imports in value terms), and Canada (11.2% of imports in value terms) remained the primary sources for Albania's pork imports by value, jointly representing 89.9% of total import flows.

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

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