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Returning to importers, manufacturers anticipate job cuts

Politiko 2025-03-22 20:33:50

Returning to importers, manufacturers anticipate job cuts

Manufacturers, between studying import alternatives and job cuts

The loss of competitiveness, influenced by increasing costs, is forcing some Albanian producers to gradually become importers in order to survive.

The former managers of the "Stela" brewery were among the first producers to import foreign beer brands, in addition to the production volume, in order to amortize losses from the decline in sales of domestic production.

"We have added premium imported products, such as fruit juices and imported beer, to increase turnover. The current government does not prioritize production, so we all have to adapt," Enzo Panteqi, the former administrator of the "Stela" brewery, previously claimed.

Beer imports are being studied as an option by other producers as well. "It is the duty of all companies to study in detail all the possibilities that can be given to balance production in the country and increase the company's profits."

"Korça Beer is studying these possibilities, but always having as a non-negotiable condition the standard of quality, taste and original tradition of our brand."

The director of the "Kaon" beer factory, Artan Stroka, also said that he is studying the possibility of importing a German brand of beer, which will then be distributed by the network of the company he runs.

Currently, Mr. Stroka says that even with the start of the tourist season, there is no expected significant increase in demand, as local producers are not able to withstand price competitiveness.

For this reason, Mr. Stroka claimed that he is forced to cut about 30% of the staff in 2025.

"Before the fiscal changes to increase the beer excise tax, the factory had 170 employees. After the excise tax increase in 2023 due to increased costs, the number of employees was cut by 50%.

"After May, we expect to lay off a third of the remaining staff due to inability to meet costs and lack of sales," underlined Artan Stroka of "Kaon" beer./ Monitor

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