Legumes production in Albania the highest in the Balkans

 

 Legumes have been part of the worldwide diet for thousands of years, serving as a source of protein. Part of legumes are peas, various types of beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Legumes serve as an important source of protein and other nutrients that can replace meat or dairy products. Also, their cultivation reduces the use of fertilizers and enriches the soil.

February 10 is set as International Legumes Day.

In Albania, their production in 2018 reached 24.5 thousand tons, up 15% from a year earlier, after three years of consecutive decline, according to Eurostat data. In terms of production, Albania produces twice more compared to many countries in the region, including Serbia or Macedonia. Since 2010 the highest production was achieved in 2014 with 30 thousand tons, while since then it has declined.

Production of legumes in Serbia was 12.9 thousand tons in 2018, followed by North Macedonia with 12.4 thousand tons, Bosnia and Herzegovina with 11.8 thousand tons and Kosovo with 6.1 thousand tons.

Their biggest producer among the European Union and candidate countries is Turkey, wherein 2018 reached 1.2 million tonnes.

The latest Eurostat data show that total EU legume production was 4.1 million tonnes in 2018. The total area dedicated to EU legume cultivation was 2.1 million hectares.

The EU Member States with the largest production of legumes in 2018 were France (840 thousand tons), Spain (690 thousand tons), Poland (460 thousand tons), Germany (400 thousand tons) and Lithuania (380 thousand tons). These five countries together accounted for 67% of the EU's total output in 2018.