Exports increase by 49% for January-April, but trade deficit deepens from high imports

Exports continued the upward trend in April, marking a strong expansion for the first 4 months of the year.

This performance reflects both the collection of more revenues from the rise in oil and metal prices on international stock exchanges, as well as the improvement of the textile and footwear industry.

According to INSTAT, in this quarter, exports of goods reached the value of ALL 162 billion, increasing by 48.8%. The groups that have had a positive impact on the annual growth of exports are: "Minerals, fuels and electricity" with +16.0 percentage points, "Construction materials and metals" with +14.7 percentage points, and "Textiles and footwear" with +7.8 percentage points.

The highest increase was recorded by the group "Minerals, fuels, energy", which expanded by 83%, to ALL 38 billion, mainly affected by the increase in oil prices in international markets. This group again moved into the second largest in the country, with 24% of the total. Oil prices on international stock exchanges (Brent index) stood above $ 100 a barrel in April. Domestic oil, which is heavy, sells for about 60% of Brent. Bankers Petroleum, which exploits the Patos Marinza onshore oil field on concession, is one of the country's leading exporters.

Exports of "construction materials and metals" were also growing strongly, expanding by almost 76% to ALL 37 billion, also influenced by the more favorable price conjuncture. Steel is the main product exported by the Kurum company. This group moved to third, with 23% of the total.

The exporter claims that the difference in quantity is not big, but the difference is made by the high price increase. However fears exist in the market that strong price increases will curb consumption and construction. The region remains the main export market for construction materials. On international stock exchanges, steel has risen in price by about 50% since the start of the war in Ukraine, as Russian and Ukrainian steel shipments, which supplied one-fifth of Europe, went out of business.

Even "textiles and shoes" are showing a good performance this year, exceeding the pre-pandemic level, as a result of increased demand from European partners and higher prices. Exports of this group expanded by 24% to ALL 44 billion, accelerating growth rates in April.

The representative of the sector said that they expect better performance due to the reorientation of production by European companies after the war in Ukraine. This group continues to be the largest in the country, with 27.5% of the total, but its weight is declining due to the growth of metals and oil.

Exports of "food, beverages and tobacco" increased by 21%, influenced by the good performance of fish products, reaching ALL 15 billion.

Edhe grupi “Makineri, pjesë këmbimi e pajisje” shënoi ecuri pozitive, me rritje 36% për katër mujorin, në 12 miliardë lekë, si rrjedhojë e përmirësimit të kërkesës pas pandemisë. Ky grup është nxitur vitet e fundit nga ngritja e fabrikave që montojnë pjesë elektrike për automjetet.

Importet e larta thellojnë deficitin

Në Prill 2022 eksportet e mallrave arritën vlerën 42 mld lekë, duke u rritur me 46,6%, në krahasim me të njëjtën periudhë të një viti më parë dhe ulur me 11,9%, në krahasim me Mars 2022. Importet e mallrave arritën vlerën 78 mld lekë, duke u rritur me 23,7%, në krahasim me një vit më parë dhe ulur me 6,9%, në krahasim me Mars 2022. Defiçiti tregtar i këtij muaji është 36 mld lekë, duke u rritur me 4,6%, krahasuar me Prill 2021 dhe ulur me 0,3%, në krahasim me Mars 2022.

Në këtë katërmujor eksportet e mallrave arritën vlerën 162 mld lekë, duke u rritur me 48,8%, ndërkohë importet e mallrave arritën vlerën 285 mld lekë, duke u rritur me 26,7%, krahasuar me një vit më parë. Deficiti tregtar arriti vlerën 123 mld lekë, duke u rritur me 6,0%, krahasuar me të njëjtën periudhë të 2021.

Ecuria e tregtisë së mallrave sipas vendeve partnere

Në muajin Prill 2022, vendet me të cilët Shqipëria ka pasur rritje më të madhe të eksporteve, në krahasim me Prill 2021 janë: Itali (70,1%), Gjermani (98,2%) dhe Greqi (42,6% ). Ndërsa vendet me të cilat eksportet kanë pasur uljen më të madhe, janë: Kosova ( 12,9%) Spanja (82,0%) dhe Zvicra (20,1%).

During this quarter, the countries with which Albania has had the largest increase in exports, compared to a year ago, are: Italy (58.4%), Germany (116.0%) and Kosovo (30.4%) . While the countries with which exports have had the largest decline are: Spain (70.2%) and Turkey (2.1%).

In April 2022, the countries with which Albania has had the largest increase in imports, compared to April 2021 are: Italy (16.5%), Turkey (75.2%) and Greece (37.2%). While the countries with which imports have had the largest decrease are: China (10.6%) USA (29.1%) and Switzerland (3.6%) ./ Monitor