Albanian agriculture exports increased this year by 30% compared to the same period in 2016, while vegetables dominate the foreign demand trend of the countries in the region and are expanding the map to new EU countries.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dhimitër Kote, in an interview to Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH), said that the countries that seek Albanian agricultural products are mainly the countries of the region, the European Community but also beyond. So Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and many EU countries are increasing their interest in "Made in Albania" products.While the most sought are fresh vegetables, mainly tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower and other products such as beans, watermelons, etc., which make up most of the exports to Europe and the region.
The export of agricultural products has so far increased by about 30% compared to the same period in 2016. Total exports in 2017 compared with 2016 increased by 20%.
"This means that the exporters are familiar with the demands of markets and they respond to their needs and demand with Albanian production, by competing with quality and standards", said Kote.
One specific case, he explains, is Albania's participation in the Berlin Fair, the largest agricultural fair in Europe, where 22 Albanian companies participated and signed cooperation agreements and agreements with foreign companies, thus confirming the expectations of an agricultural production and the growing demand of the foreign market for Albanian agricultural products.
Deputy Minister Kote, a well-known expert in the field of agronomy, emphasized that there are two ways of development of Albanian agriculture, the export and the processing of agricultural products.
"Albanian agriculture is consolidating the growth trend and is improving the standards by being certified according to GLOBALG.A.P to guarantee the sustainable growth of exports made in Albania. In order to increase the competitiveness of Albanian products, the agriculture ministry has put in the subsidy scheme the certification of agricultural products, to compete fairly in the international market," said Kote.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture emphasized that the agriculture is on the right track. The government's strategy has defined 15 avangarde farming cultures, from vegetables, fruits and citrus that are most desirable for export and that have potential for production on Albanian soil.