Potato market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years, the market was shaped by structural challenges and weather events. The 2018 introduction of VAT compensation on agricultural inputs for small farmers provided some support, but a fragmented market, weak standards, and poor infrastructure led retail networks to prefer imported potatoes, keeping imports elevated. The following year, damage from humidity and frosts reduced the availability of local produce, further increasing reliance on imports and pushing the total market volume up to 276 thousand tons.

Market volumes experienced fluctuations in the early 2020s. After a slight dip in 2020, rising costs for key inputs like imported seed potatoes and mechanized work in 2021 pressured farmer profitability, limiting more substantial growth. A sharp, nearly complete halt in imports in 2022, which fell to just 0.5 thousand tons, caused the overall market to contract to 263 thousand tons that year, despite a rise in domestic production.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, expanding by 11% to 292 thousand tons. This surge was primarily supplied by a significant inflow of competitively priced potato imports from Kosovo, which saturated the market despite creating sales difficulties for local farmers. Entering 2024, the sector continues to face headwinds from food prices above the EU average, a broader economic slowdown impacting consumption, and persistently high production costs coupled with a lack of supportive policies for smallholders.

Production potato in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Albania's potato production grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 260.7 thousand tons, marking a 2.4% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production fell slightly to 254.9 thousand tons, representing a 2.2% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports potato from Albania

Exports in kind, t

Albania's potato exports have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2 820 tons, showing a sharp 118.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 306.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 59.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina—collectively accounted for 96.9% of Albania's total potato exports by volume.

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

Albania's potato exports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 784 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 40.2% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 208.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 45.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Serbia and Montenegro were the primary destinations for Albania's potato exports in value terms, while other markets individually played a smaller role.

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

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

Imports potato to Albania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Albania imported 16 271 tons of potatoes, a moderate 4.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports overall increased by 9.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 13 025 tons, which marked a 12.0% decline from 2017. In 2019, imports peaked at 16 942 tons, a 30.1% increase from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia and the Netherlands were the dominant sources for Albania's potato imports by volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

The import market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 3 611 thousand US dollars. In 2019, they reached a peak of 6 154 thousand US dollars, a 70.4% increase from 2018, creating a 1.7-fold gap between the two years. In 2020, imports fell to 5 233 thousand US dollars, a solid 15.0% drop from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia (37.1% of import value), the Netherlands (35.1%), and Greece (15.9%) together accounted for 88.0% of Albania's total potato imports in value terms.

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

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