Tourists are feeding on imports, significant increase in purchases from abroad

Positive developments in tourism are not boosting agricultural production, as additional needs to feed visitors are being covered by imports.

At the peak of agricultural production in June, imports of food products increased by 18.4%, while in the entire first 6 months of 2024, imports of food products in quantity increased by 20%.

In June, out of the 23 groups of food imports, the groups with the objective of tourism have recorded a strong increase. For example, the quantities of fish imported in June 2024 were 24% higher than in June 2023. Also, dairy products recorded a high growth of 19%.

Cereals have recorded a high growth of 53%. Albanian cuisine has important parts of dough dishes, which are preferred by foreign tourists, especially pies.

Confectionery products also increased by 138% in June, as one of the main components of dishes in restaurants.

In general, processed foods have recorded double-digit growth.

Throughout the first 6 months of this year, food products in quantity have increased by 20%.

Albania is a major producer of greens from greenhouses in the region, but imports in this group recorded an annual increase of 43% in 6 months, while fruit imports increased by 31%.

Tourists have significantly influenced the growth of local consumption and retail trade. But the benefits of the Albanian economy would be high if this demand was met with local production.

On the other hand, exports of agricultural products in quantity have been increasing, but agricultural production as a whole is decreasing.

Now the production of vegetables is concentrated in greenhouses for export, as the small plots that previously supplied the city markets have gone bankrupt. The aging population in the countryside is rapidly reducing the number of cattle and leaving the fields barren.

Peasants, who previously produced dairy products and vegetables for self-consumption, have now become market consumers, encouraging the increase in imports of fresh products, vegetables, dairy products, meat, etc./Monitor