"Only vegetables have grown, don't worry"/ The Minister "tries hairs", market prices show a different picture

The Minister of Finance, Delina Ibrahimaj, stated this Friday that the increase in prices in Albania is limited only to the vegetable category, emphasizing that the situation does not appear to be worrying.

According to her, inflation in the country remains at controlled levels, around 2.6%, while over 80 products in the basket have not experienced significant growth. She added that the government will only intervene if the growth affects other basic categories.

"The increase occurred only in the vegetable category, while there was no price increase in all other foods.

The war is not in Albania's hands to contain it or not, prices have increased as a result of the war, we are here so that the consequences have a minimal impact on the Albanian economy. There are over 80 products in the basket and none have increased due to the war.

"Inflation was at 2.6%, which is still a controlled level. If we see that prices will also increase in other products, then we will undoubtedly intervene with an act that will provide subsidies to categories of needy groups," Ibrahimaj said.

This is a typical message of stability from institutions, aimed at avoiding panic and providing security for the economy.

Market reality: tomato growth and the chain effect

Albanians are consuming very few tomatoes this season, and this time not because of the pesticide load or the quality, but rather the price that is keeping this product off the table.

Tomatoes are the most popular product in our country, the most cultivated in greenhouses and family gardens, but these days their price in retail markets has hit records of 350-440 lek per kg for normal tomatoes and 700-800 lek per kg for cherry tomatoes, a value previously unknown to consumers.

Although this vegetable is not in its prime, the second greenhouse season brought this product to the stalls at reasonable prices in early April.

Even in January, domestic tomatoes cost 170 lek/kg and imported tomatoes cost 270-300 lek/kg.

Oil, the factor that affects everything

Although not classified as a food product, oil is a fundamental factor that affects the entire economy. High fuel prices increase transportation, production, and distribution costs, which are then reflected in the prices of products on the market.

In Albania, where a large portion of food products are transported from different areas or imported, any increase in oil prices has an immediate effect on final prices.

This means that even if statistics show stability in certain categories, real pressure on prices continues to exist.

The Transparency Board published the new fuel prices yesterday.

According to the decision, the price of diesel has been reduced to 210 lek per liter from 220 lek per liter the day before. The price of gasoline has also been reduced to 173 lek per liter from 181 lek per liter the day before.

Albanians go to Montenegro for oil

The queue of vehicles has increased at the gas station in Tuz, on the border with the Murriqani customs point, which connects Montenegro with Albania.
Most of the residents around there cross the border and get fuel, as it is much cheaper than in Albania. A liter of fuel was traded yesterday in Montenegro for 1.57 euros, while in Albania it was 214 lekë, or 2.2 euros at the daily exchange rate.

With 2 thousand lekë, in Albania you can buy 9.3 liters of diesel, while in Montenegro, with the same amount, if you exchange it you get almost 21 euros and buy 13.1 liters, or 42% more. The difference in price is so high that it is worth the time spent and the extra fuel spent on the way to the border.

When the government intervenes and the policy dilemma

Minister Ibrahimaj stated that the government will only intervene if the increase spreads to other products in the basket.

But this approach raises a dilemma: should we wait for the situation to worsen before taking action?

Experts argue that early interventions can mitigate the knock-on effects and protect the most vulnerable segments of society.

Conversely, delayed response can make price control more difficult.

Conclusion: a perception that does not match

In the end, the problem is no longer just about statistics or their interpretation, but about the lack of a concrete response.

While Delina Ibrahimaj talks about controlled inflation and limited growth, citizens are facing prices that are silently rising every day – from tomatoes that have reached record levels, to fuel that continues to weigh down every product and service.

The government has chosen to wait. To wait for growth to spread further, to wait for the crisis to become more visible, before intervening. But in economics, delay is often more costly than the crisis itself.

Instead of preventive measures, the current policy seems to rely on justification and minimization of the situation. Meanwhile, Albanian families are facing an ever-increasing cost of living alone.

And in this reality, the problem is no longer whether "only vegetables have grown", but the fact that in the face of this daily price increase, the government continues to fail to take any concrete measures./ N.Fero, POLITIKO.AL