Tomato market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

The Albanian tomato market expanded from 221.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 311.3 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by significant investments in irrigation infrastructure and growing consumer preference for healthy foods. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions in 2020, earlier investments in the fresh produce sector helped maintain production growth.

Market volume surged in 2022 as exports collapsed to 3.9 thousand tonnes due to international concerns over pesticide use in Albanian tomatoes, diverting more produce to the domestic market. However, in 2023, the market contracted to 258.8 thousand tonnes as exports recovered and new tax legislation increased business costs for producers, coupled with rising food prices that dampened consumer demand.

Recent factors include the 2024 water resources law, which aims to improve management of a key input for tomato cultivation, while farmers in regions like Fier continue to report market access difficulties and high production costs, leading to surplus wastage.

Production tomato in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Albania's tomato production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 313.1 thousand tons of tomatoes, marking a modest year-over-year gain of 4.5%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Albania's tomato output was valued at 172.8 million US dollars, representing a significant 24.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 24.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tomato from Albania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Albania's tomato exports amounted to 67 908 tons, showing a modest decline of 8.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.4%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 74 412 tons, with the largest increase that year at 6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria were the main buyers of Albanian tomatoes in terms of volume. Serbia accounted for 43.7% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 10.8%, and Bulgaria for 9.5%. Together, these three countries formed 64.0% of Albania's total tomato 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

In 2020, Albania's tomato exports in value terms reached 37 477 thousand US dollars, equivalent to an 8.7% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 37 815 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania remained the key partners for Albania's tomato exports in value terms. Serbia represented 41.8% of exports, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania each accounted for 9.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up 60.1% of total export flows by 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 tomato to Albania

Imports in kind, t

Albania's tomato imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume was 2 334 tons, reflecting a robust decrease of 14.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 8.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 2 901 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey, Italy, and Greece were the largest suppliers of tomatoes to Albania in terms of volume. Turkey accounted for 35.9% of imports, Italy for 32.9%, and Greece for 26.3%. Together, these three countries constituted 95.1% of Albania's total tomato imports by volume.

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 tomato imports in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the import value was recorded at 1 916 thousand US dollars, showing an 11.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 1 916 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey, Italy, and Greece formed the core group of markets for Albania's tomato imports in value terms. Turkey represented 37.2% of imports, Italy 33.6%, and Greece 24.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 95.7% of total import flows by value.

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

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