Albanian chestnut in recent years has become the most sought-after product in Italy, but this year due to the 'Chinese wasp disease' this product has been damaged. There are thousands of hectares of infected chestnuts throughout Albania.
"It is a Chinese disease that damages the chestnut 100% until it is completely dry. There are around 10,000 hectares that are totally infected throughout Albania."
The demand for export chestnuts to Italy in recent years has been very high. According to Tonin Gështenja from Shkodra to ABC, who deals with the export of this fruit and this year, there is a great decline in demand.
"I managed to export up to 1,100 to 1,300 tons, but this year around 400 tons.
"This year the production is very poor in our area," he says.
But how can this problem be solved?
"We are negotiating with the Albanian government if can do something for our area", the conversation continues.